Southern Grampians Shire Council has committed to a three-year sponsorship agreement with Cricket Victoria to support the Under 16 Premier League Carnival and other local Cricket Victoria events.
The agreement will be reviewed annually with $10,000 to be allocated from Council’s events budget each year.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Bruach Colliton said there were clear long-term community benefits to the funding agreement.
“Last year’s Under 16 Premier League Carnival hosted by Cricket Victoria saw an economic boost of approximately $175,000 into the Southern Grampians region,” said Cr Colliton.
“Over 50 families stayed in the region across the weeklong carnival which of course sees a positive impact in accommodation bookings, hospitality venues as well as retail which provided local businesses with increased opportunities.
“Events and activities like these have the dual benefit of helping to support our local cricket community while promoting the people and places of the Southern Grampians to the wider region.”
“Cricket Victoria wants to showcase the fantastic grounds we have within the shire and give all players the opportunity to play in different conditions. They utilise local umpires for the carnival to support their development and various local Clubs are paid to get grounds ready for the Carnival”.
“The Youth Premier League embraces talented players with varied backgrounds from across all of Victoria to be the best player they can be. We look forward to welcoming players and their families back later in the year for the 2022 carnival,” concluded Cr Colliton.
The three-year agreement supports key performance indicators of the 2021-25 Council Plan to encourage participation in leisure, recreation and sporting opportunities; to promote appropriate services, facilities and activities for young people; whilst also improving the reputation of the region as a destination of choice for events.
With other Cricket Hubs being finalised in Victoria, there will be greater competition for junior carnivals. This approach locks in Southern Grampians hosting of this event for years to come.
Other programs and events proposed by Cricket Victoria to be held Southern Grampians include:
• Cricket Expos
• Junior Cricket forums
• Western Country presentations
• U19 Victorian Male State Squad for three days in September
• U19 Victorian Female State Squad in July
• Other Carnivals – State and Interstate TBC for 2023/24