Tarneit Cricket Club’s inaugural president Sam Singh. 68268 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
TARNEIT’S newly formed cricket club is likely to field at least two teams this season, in a major boost to local cricket and the growing Wyndham suburb.
The Tarneit Cricket Club is the first sports club to be established in the suburb and will cater for the rapidly rising population in Tarneit and neighbouring suburbs.
The Titans will field at least one team in the Williamstown and Districts mat competition, but also hope to have at least one team in the Western Suburbs Churches Cricket Association.
The club will use Thomas Carr College’s oval for the season and is working with Wyndham Council to secure a home ground.
Club president Sam Singh said the Tarneit community would reap the benefits of having a local cricket club.
“I believe that a community sports club is essential to provide a platform for people to building stronger communities,” he said.
“We are not reinventing the wheel but if you see some of the older suburbs, community sports clubs add a lot of value to everyday life of residents,” he said.
“Having a lack of infrastructure in Tarneit prevents people getting together and enjoying the community spirit.
“I hope that Tarneit Cricket Club will enable them to overcome the barriers and build stronger bonds within the community.”
Singh also hoped the club would help break cultural barriers that come with a living in a diverse community consisting of many new migrant families.
“Most of the people of Tarneit have moved from other suburbs … therefore there is a strong need for them to enjoy outdoors and make friends,” he said. “Tarneit Cricket Club is a family-oriented club. We will be involving families by organising family cricket days, which will encourage female and kids involvement.”
The club will build partnerships with local schools and to get a junior program up and running. It also plans to involve its juniors in Cricket Victoria programs. To get involved in Tarneit Cricket Club, contact Sam Singh on 0438 400 272.
