City of Ballarat steps in to keep junior cricket tournament alive

The City of Ballarat has stepped up to the crease to host the Under 12 School Sports Australia Cricket National Championships throughout November after the event was relocated from Shepparton due to flooding in the region.  
 
With dozens of roads closed and flash flooding across greater Shepparton region, event organisers needed to find another host for the tournament at very short notice. This was particularly important considering the tournament had been cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic. 

The City of Ballarat and the Ballarat Cricket Association have collaborated to ensure the young cricketers can play in the national tournament using the region’s facilities, including Ballarat’s premier cricket ground, Eastern Oval. 
 
The tournament will run from November 19 to 26 and is expected to attract between 400 and 500 people to the region, including the 13 teams, support staff and participants’ families. More than 80 matches will be played throughout the tournament, which will also feature an opening and closing ceremony. 
 
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson, said he was delighted the national cricket tournament would go on.  
 
“After two consecutive years of cancellations, it’s great to see Australia’s top young cricketers will have an opportunity to play at this level,” he said.  
 
“We’re delighted to host the tournament at The City of Ballarat’s fantastic facilities.”  

For more information about the tournament, visit School Sport Australia’s website here.