By Parker McKenzie
Belgrave Cricket Club will be launching a new all-abilities cricket program to further local community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion, starting with an online information night on Zoom at 7.30pm on Monday 21 November.
After a meeting between the club and The Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association on Tuesday 8 November where the club expressed formal interest in launching a side in the 2023/24 season, Belgrave will begin information sessions and come and try days over the summer to “identify what division they could a team in.”
Belgrave Cricket Club Sean Connolly said launching the program was “the responsible thing to do when you’re trying to provide for the local community.”
“It’s something there isn’t a lot of in our area, particularly in the hills. We see it as an opportunity to be leaders in the local community,” he said.
“There is a team in Croydon and also Ferntree Gully, but we already have a few juniors and seniors playing in mainstream sides that are eligible.”
The team will compete in a formal competition run by MAACA, with games played every second Sunday over the summer for a total of six games with a final series to cap off the season.
Mr Connolly said the club is trying really hard to provide for everyone in the community.
“We liked the idea that we’re going to be able to offer cricket to even more people in our local area,” he said.
“The all abilities program is definitely helping us extend that and show we are a club where everyone and everybody are welcome.”
Players aged 14 and over are eligible to play in the competition which features three divisions, with the first division targeting players who need minimal support but might not be ready for mainstream cricket programs, the second division for players that need moderate support and division three for players who need modified rules, may have other physical disabilities or require the support of a carer.
The club recently received a $1000 staff grant from Teresa Spruhan at the Community Bank Belgrave Branch to help launch the all abilities program.
Anybody interested in attending the information night or future come-and-play sessions or volunteering for the current cricket programs can contact club secretary Melissa Davey at belgravecc@hotmail.com or by following the club on Facebook.
