More than 60 members of the Beaufort Cricket Club can now ramp up their training and development thanks to a new cricket training facility for their home ground at Goldfields Recreation Reserve.

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today joined Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor, Cr Robert Vance and the Beaufort Cricket Club to officially open the new training facility, made possible by a $100,000 investment from the Victorian Government’s Community Cricket Program.

The new facility features a fully enclosed three-wicket cricket training facility with a synthetic surface that can be used all year round by the senior and junior sides of the Beaufort Cricket Club, as well as the public.

The fully retractable internal netting opens up the area for other activities providing a great new space for the club and other users of the reserve, including the nearby Beaufort Primary School.  

The Victorian Budget 2023-24 is providing more than $213 million to deliver and improve community sports infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.

More than $1.9 billion has been invested by the Labor government into community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.

Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

The recent release of the Government’s Fair Access Policy Roadmap will also help to ensure women and girls get equal access to community sport facilities like cricket nets across the state.

Martha Haylett MP acknowledged Pyrenees Shire Council for its contribution of $135,681 towards the project, Cricket Australia for its $30,000 from the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, Beaufort Community Bank for its $30,000, and the Beaufort Cricket Club for pitching in $10,000.

For more information about sport and recreation infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Sport is the lifeblood of rural and regional Victoria. More than ever cricket clubs like Beaufort need quality facilities they can rely on all year round.”

“The new training facility is a real win for the Beaufort Cricket Club and provides a great new space for locals to take their game to the next level.”

“Better facilities make it easier for Victorians to get into local sport and recreation, and live active and healthy lifestyles.”