$1.2m sporting chance

DANDENONG’S Shepley Oval has a $1.2 million redevelopment on the way.
Sport and Recreation Minister Hugh Delahunty on Monday announced the State Government would provide $312,000 for the project alongside $935,000 from the City of Greater Dandenong, AFL Victoria and Cricket Victoria.
Mr Delahunty said the improvements would provide more opportunities for Dandenong’s clubs and the local community to participate in a wider range of activities at the much-loved sports ground.
“Which is the home of Australian fast bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson,” he said.
“The proposed works include an overhaul of the pavilion’s ground floor to allow for a modernisation of the existing change rooms, gymnasium, medical room, office space and amenities.”
Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said the money would help to strengthen the vital community facility.
She said the site was used throughout the year for all-access disability events, healthy community promotions, AFL indigenous events, the Australia Day Cricket Cup, AFL interleague matches and more.
“Shepley Oval is Greater Dandenong’s premier Aussie rules and cricket facility and is home to the mighty Dandenong Stingrays and Dandenong Cricket Club,” she said.
Dandenong Cricket Club president Michael Findlay said the Panthers were grateful for the funds.
“The works to the change room, gym and office area will enable us to run more programs to develop cricket in the Greater Dandenong region and beyond,” he said.
“In addition the change rooms will be modified to be more female-friendly, which hopefully will lead to the staging of more women’s cricket.”
Mr Findlay said the club would also push to play some state-level games at Shepley in the future in the form of women’s or men’s second eleven or underage.
“The expanded gymnasium will allow more varied programs for our cricketers,” he said.
“The electronic scoreboard should also be commissioned later in the week and hopefully debut his Saturday in a modified version.
“I have seen it briefly and the clarity is superb.”
Dandenong Stingrays region manager Mark Wheeler said the TAC Cup football side was “very excited” and grateful for the announcement.
“The upgrade will bring us in line with what other TAC clubs have,” he said.
“We have over 400 players who come through the program each year and have been falling over each other.
“We are very excited that we now can work towards our plans of introducing a Stingrays under-18 academy in the coming year and hopefully double the Koori Auskick numbers from last year.”
Mr Wheeler said the new all-abilities change rooms and extra gym space would allow the side to spend more time on recovery and education on what it takes to be a professional sports person.
“The proposed ice baths will defiantly help on game day, especially six-day turnarounds,” he said.
“The office upgrade us a bonus, but defiantly well-needed.”