By Russell Bennett
The Kooweerup Cricket Club is regarded as the sporting pride of the town by local Cardinia Shire councillor Ray Brown, and for good reason – its history of success over a sustained period of time speaks for itself.
Last Thursday night, the Demon faithful turned out in droves to their Denhams Road base for a training night with a twist.
This was no ordinary Thursday during cricket season – this was the night they’d take a step back, admire, and truly appreciate all they’d achieved with their state-of-the-art training nets.
Players, coaches, and officials from throughout the generations watched on with pride as the ribbon was cut to officially open the Demons’ practice facility.
After years of lobbying and tireless hard work to secure the funding needed, they finally have a facility befitting a club with such a proven record of success across the grades.
In helping to launch the nets, alongside former Cardinia Shire mayor Graeme Moore, Brown said: “It’s not hard to support a club as good as this – that has such good leadership. They’re always looking to take the next step, and they’ve put us (Kooweerup) on the map”.
Current Kooweerup president Matt Davey said the project for the state-of-the-art nets, including accompanying lighting, was a long time in the making.
He said Thursday night’s event was the club’s way of saying thanks to all those who’d played a part in making the project become a reality.
“You have to pay tribute to all those who’ve helped out along the journey, and you have to do it the right way,” Davey explained.
“A hell of a lot of people have put in a lot of time, money, and effort into the facility, so it’s great to get them along to be able to thank them properly.
“We’re extremely grateful, that’s for sure.”
Davey said the nets project – all told, including the lighting – cost around $120,000.
That included grants from Cricket Victoria, the Cardinia Shire Council, and the Bendigo Bank – as well as a significant financial contribution from the cricket club.
“I always tell the players you don’t get much for nothing, and we charge the players fees, and the facilities we have now are second to none,” Davey said.
“You’ve got to teach your kids that you don’t get anything in life for free.”
Kooweerup’s junior participation numbers this season are particularly healthy, and – astonishingly – there’s already talk of adding two more practice nets down the track.
“It’s pretty incredible when you consider that when I went to play at Frankston when I was 18 we had one senior side and no juniors at all,” Davey said.
“For those guys who stuck around 26 years ago at that time, a lot of credit has to go to them.”
Looking ahead, there’s talk of Kooweerup adding a turf wicket to its list of assets as the club continues to evolve.
