The Wandin Cricket Club received a game changing $75,000 sponsorship from the Community Bank Wandin-Seville to overhaul its training facilities.
Announced by the Community Bank Wandin-Seville on 28 November, the sponsorship will fund the construction of three new cricket nets to accommodate the growing club.
Wandin Cricket Club president Bryce Edwards said he was “honoured and chuffed” to receive the sponsorship.
“We’ve got a great relationship with them, they’re our major sponsor and then to be supported by them to get brand new nets, we couldn’t be happier. They do so much for our community,” Mr Edwards said.
The club was struggling to host training on a Thursday night and some teams were required to travel to Saxon Sports in Croydon to train.
But Mr Edwards said the new nets would keep the club together on a Thursday night.
“That’s a massive benefit to us, and it keeps our community together. It keeps our men together training with the women’s. It means our Thursday nights are still great because we’re all together rather than split up,” he said.
Community Bank Wandin-Seville executive officer Leah Thompson said the bank had a long history with the club.
“We have sponsored the Wandin Cricket Club for many years, our first sponsorship to them was back in 2007, but back then it was more occasional,” Ms Thompson said.
“Then in 2021 the club was struggling and they approached us for sponsorship, and since then we have built a really strong and stable partnership with the club and its members.
“We have sponsored their uniforms, women’s team, pink stumps day, it’s been a really great working relationship the last four years.”
The new nets enabled the club to support its many teams, which includes two women’s teams – making them one of five clubs in the Ringwood and District Cricket Association to have more than one women’s team.
Ms Thomspon said facilitating sporting clubs was a rewarding feat for the bank, as it recognised the vital role sport plays in the Yarra Ranges.
“Sport plays a major role in bringing people together here in Wandin and we know how much quality facilities and equipment mean to local clubs. Helping create spaces the community can be proud of is exactly why we do what we do,” she said.
Mr Edwards voiced support for the Community Bank Wandin-Seville as it had contributed a lot of funds back into the community.
“Again our message is pretty clear, support your local Bendigo Bank, because they support your community, no one else does,” Mr Edwards said.
The nets will also serve a range of activities, doubling as a multifunctional space.
