The Victorian Government is going in to bat for community cricket again with local clubs and councils now able to apply for funding to develop new or upgrade existing cricket facilities across the state.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced that applications are now open for the 2020-21 round of the Victorian Government’s $13.5 million Community Cricket Program.

With more than 235,000 registered cricket participants across the state last summer, Victoria is Australia’s home of cricket.

The Government is getting on with modernising cricket facilities so clubs and communities can cater for even more Victorians, particularly women and girls keen to be involved in the sport.

The program has already delivered more than $1.4 million in grants to 15 projects including $100,000 towards new cricket nets at Walker Park in Nunawading and $100,000 to drought-proof the home ground of Jindivick Cricket Club.

This second round of the program will deliver another $1.4 million for clubs and councils to develop or redevelop local cricket infrastructure from training nets through to female friendly and accessible change rooms.

Further funding is being allocated to develop metropolitan cricket and community centres, which will provide facilities for cricket associations for administration and skill development across a cricket region.

The Community Cricket Program was established in 2014 to support the development of cricket across the state, and this initiative is part of the Government’s investment of more than $915 million into community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014 which encourages all Victorians to get out there and get active.

For more information visit: sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/community-cricket-program