With around 240 members between them, cricket is as popular as ever at the home of the Macedon and Woodend cricket clubs.

The new practice cricket nets at Gilbert Gordon Oval in Woodend and Tony Clarke Reserve in Macedon include three lane training wickets at both grounds.

They replace previous ageing training facilities that were struggling to keep up with the growing interest in cricket and local sport, especially from women and girls.

The new synthetic wickets come complete with mesh fence and an internal retractable net and rigging system allowing the transformation of the three lanes at both venues into an open multipurpose space.

At Tony Clarke Reserve, there’s also bright new oval and netball/tennis court lighting, made possible by a $100,000 investment from the Victorian Government.

Along with the Macedon Cricket Club, the ground is also home to the Macedon Tennis Club and the Macedon Football Netball Club.

The new lighting opens up the oval and adjacent courts to more twilight training especially over the winter months, it provides better lighting for more use of the oval and is competition-standard allowing for night games.

From cricket lane upgrades to new lighting, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation.

They are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and fast-tracking community recovery by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the clubs were also financial contributors to the projects.

For more information about sport infrastructure grant opportunities