Dylan Arvela
The Gippsland cricketing community came together on Tuesday morning for the official unveiling of the Centre of Excellence at Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve.
It is hoped the $3.5 million cricket precinct will progress the sport in the region at a grassroots and elite level.
The complex features a state of the art five lane indoor facility designed for high-performance training and indoor cricket matches.
There is also an outdoor turf training facility, changing rooms, storage areas and offices which will be used as a Cricket Victoria administration hub.
CV chief executive Andrew Ingleton was on hand for the opening and compared the hub to Junction Oval which is the headquarters for the state’s governing body.
“This is a fantastic facility, it’s like a mini Junction Oval,” he said.
“This is an outstanding facility for Moe and the Latrobe Valley and I think it will be a real game-changer for the region.
“It will provide wonderful indoor facilities for community cricket and help high-performance pathways, it’s a really valuable asset.”
Latrobe City Council mayor Dan Clancey said council was behind the project because it will increase participation in the sport, as well as aiding local athletes at the top end of the game.
“The development of Ted Summerton Reserve further enhances our liveability as a regional City by providing facilities for the community that they need to continue to grow and thrive,” Cr Clancey said.
“This dedicated facility is not only for performance and development of cricketing talent but is focused on supporting the participation of those at grassroots level and allowing
individuals to pursue their sporting or recreational passion across a range of sports and community activities.
“Sporting clubs are the heart and soul of local communities.
“Playing sport not only gets people active and healthy it gets them out into our community which is integral for mental health and wellbeing.”
Big Bash League franchise Melbourne Stars also made their presence felt at the event with men’s coach David Hussey and Moe export Nicole Faltum taking a close look at the new facilities.
Ms Faltum, who played for Morwell and Trafalgar before moving through to the elite cricket ranks, said it was fantastic for the region to have access to the venue.
“It’s incredible, I am just looking around and I am in awe,” she said.
“To have something like this in a rural area is incredible and I think it will be so good for the development of many cricketers to have access to something like this.”
