Popular duo make visit to Warragul
Warragul Cricket Club enjoyed a visit from The Grade Cricketer podcasters Ian Higgins and Sam Perry on Saturday to talk about funding they’ve received from the Grassroots Cricket Fund.
The Grassroots Cricket Fund has been established by Australia’s cricketers to strengthen the grassroots cricket for generations to come and will commit up to $30 million from player payments.
ACA’s general manager member programs and relations Kelly Applebee said the Grassroots Cricket Fund highlighted the united values embedded in the Australian cricket community.
“In a year that’s brought so much adversity, the Grassroots Cricket Fund is helping clubs to continue operating and encourages participation in the sport. This unprecedented player investment helps makes the sport we love more accessible to all Australians.”
The Warragul Cricket Club received $1500 from the grassroots fund and treasurer Toby Shelton said the funds, while not seeming like a lot, will go a long way.
“For us, it’s a lot of money, we are a small country club and to get a $1500 injection goes a long way to help buying equipment which we have used it for this year.
“Mainly cricket balls, they’re expensive things and they last only one game. You need a new ball every game, so the running cost is just under $3000 for the season for balls alone,” he said.
It’s the side’s first year back in division one after nearly a decade out of the top level in the WDCA. Toby said they hoped to consolidate their place in the league, with the hope of developing a women’s team as well.
The club appealed to the Grassroots Cricket Fund, after Toby explained how long the team had been around for, established in 1880.
Both Toby and president Josh Wright sat down for a chat with Ian and Sam, touching on how the funding will help the club, as well as some other light hearted topics like the spread put on at afternoon tea, and how Josh juggles both the captain and president role at the club.
While rain spoiled the party on Saturday, with the division one game against rivals Western Park ending in a washout, the club were still able to celebrate the funding, which will hold them in good stead as the season continues.