SEASON 24/25
Victorian cricket enjoyed another outstanding season in 2024-25, with the continued growth of our game a testament to the passion and dedication of our
I’d like to congratulate our premiers, award winners,
These results are a credit to the incredible work happening across our community, and a reflection of our shared commitment to making the game accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.
We’re also focused on improving the experience for
5-12 Year Olds
45,936
49,720
Women & Girls
20,598
19,750
Donate to the CV Foundation Today
Now in its third year, the Cricket Victoria Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Victorian cricket, using the power of the sport to create meaningful social impact. The Foundation brings together individuals, partners, and supporters to increase access, empower First Nations communities, grow participation among women and girls, and deliver programs that inspire on and off the field.
Its work is guided by three key pillars:
Women & Girls Our Community Accessible Participation
Through these focus areas, the Foundation is breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive future for cricket in Victoria.
Cricket Victoria’s flagship Girls Leadership Program empowers young women aged 14–16 with leadership skills, coaching, and development opportunities. In the 2024/25 season, 123 participants took part across three programs, including two new regional locations Bendigo and Sale.
Developed in partnership with Belinda Clark AO and The Leadership Playground, the program features expert-led learning and introduces participants to a wide range of cricket pathways, from playing and coaching to media, marketing, and operations.
The Cricket Victoria Foundation proudly supports Victorian teams at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC). While titles were out of reach this year, standout performers Tahlia Meier and Pat Jackson were named in the Teams of the Tournament. Tahlia was also selected— alongside Ella Hayward—for the Australian Indigenous Women’s Team that toured Papua New Guinea in June.
This pillar also includes the Scott Boland Indigenous Scholarship, delivered in partnership with the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy. The scholarship supports Indigenous students studying dual diplomas in Business and Leadership & Management, providing both financial assistance and a pathway into cricket and career development.
ST KILDA’S PREMIER FUNCTION VENUE — PERFECT FOR MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND UNFORGET TABLE CELEBRATIONS.
Cricket Victoria continues to make strong progress in engaging culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities as we work toward our vision of being a sport for all. A key driver of this growth has been the Woolworths Community Fund, which remains a vital resource in breaking down participation barriers for children from multicultural backgrounds. In the 2024/25 season, the fund supported another strong year of entry-level involvement, particularly through Cricket Blast programs.
Importantly, the number of South Asian cricketers across club cricket increased by 10% year-on-year, a reflection of ongoing community engagement, targeted program delivery, and culturally inclusive environments.
Cricket Victoria’s school engagement continues to evolve, with a strong focus on creating a culture of cricket within Victorian Schools. In early 2025, Cricket Victoria partnered with Academy Movement to formally integrate cricket into three targeted schools. This partnership plays a key role in building a stronger cricket culture in schools and establishing clear connections to the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy program
Additionally, our ongoing collaboration with ACHPER enabled the delivery of 18 Teacher Professional Development sessions across selected schools. These sessions equipped teachers with the skills and confidence to deliver cricket-based programs, ensuring more students experience a high-quality introduction to the game as part of their regular school day.
Umpiring in Victoria experienced a standout year, with strong growth, new development pathways, and closer links between community and Premier Cricket.
These initiatives continue to grow participation, strengthen pathways, and support the future of umpiring in Victoria.
3,166
accredited umpires, including 592 in junior cricket.
2,202
54 active umpires across the state.
participants engaged in MCC Women & Girls Umpiring Programs held across metro and regional areas.
181
18
This season saw major progress in coach development across Victoria, with a broad range of programs supporting coaches at every stage.
These initiatives reflect a season of growth, innovation, and inclusivity, reinforcing Cricket Victoria’s commitment to coach development at all levels.
2 Community & 1 Advanced Female-Only Coaching courses.
Launch of the Female Coach Mentor Program
Inaugural Renegades Coaching Masterclass & Training Experience
First Inclusive Coaching Masterclass for All Abilities Coaches (MACCA competition)
Courses delivered. Coaches engaged. 49
987
Courses inc. 1 female-only.
4 Participants in the femaleonly course. Participants attended the other three. 40 71
Skill-based sessions in batting, bowling and fielding.
Participants across key regions. 527
In the 2024/25 season, Cricket Victoria continued to champion social cricket as a key vehicle for growing grassroots participation and fostering inclusive club environments. Notably, four Inner Eastern clubs from the Eastern Cricket Association and Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association embraced the Social Sixes program, successfully welcoming many women into cricket for the first time. In addition, Tapeball Cricket pilot programs were introduced across select metro regions, providing a fast-paced, low-cost format that engaged new participants from multicultural backgrounds and helped connect local communities through a fun, accessible version of the game.
Building on this success, Cricket Victoria has committed to expanding Tapeball opportunities through a new offering in the 2025/26 season called Smash Series, designed to further support community connection and participation through modified, social cricket.
The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund provides funding for community cricket facility projects, with a focus on growing participation and promoting accessibility and inclusivity.
Funding for season 25/26 will open in early 2026, so make sure you stay tuned to Cricket Victoria’s social accounts to find out how you or your club can apply. Australian Cricket Investment in Grassroots
Total number of projects
Training net developments and upgrades
Ground and pitch developments
Pavilion, Inclusive Change rooms & Other Facility improvements
#LIVEFORTHEGAME
2024-25 Cricket Victoria Community Cricket
The Melbourne Stars used their significant footprint within Victoria to engage and connect with the community throughout the state.
In August the Stars headed to regional Victoria, delivering cricket clinics at over 45 schools in the east of the state over 3 days. WBBL players also took part in a metro version of the Road Trip, engaging with 25 schools across metropolitan Melbourne.
Over 7,000 children participated in the mascot challenge, whilst there were 10,308 registered Woolworths Blast participants, an increase of 6% on the previous year.
As part of the club’s environmental initiative, WBBL players and staff visited Kinglsey Park Primary School and helped the school plant over 750 trees for School Tree Day.
Across the 2024/25 season, the Renegades community team continued to strengthen our connection with fans and grassroots cricket across Victoria, engaging with thousands of people through schools, events and programs.
In July, our BBL and WBBL players hit the road for the annual Renegades Roadshow, visiting schools and community groups across Victoria. The team travelled to five regions, 20 towns and more than 40 schools in the regions as well as visiting 18 metropolitan schools across two days, engaging with nearly 6,000 primary school children across both tours.
We proudly supported some of Victoria’s most vibrant community events, including the Ballarat Begonia Festival, Wyndham Children’s Picnic in Werribee, The Long Walk, several Diwali festivals, school fetes, and cricket club open days throughout the north-west regions. Our commitment to Geelong and the Barwon area was once again celebrated through the merging of our Family Day and the popular Beach Bash at Steampacket Gardens, where hundreds of locals came together on the waterfront to meet players and enjoy cricket-themed activities.
The Renegades Champions League continued to grow in 2024/25, expanding its footprint with strong engagement and participation. The men’s outdoor tournament featured teams representing
The Barossa Valley (SA) proved a happy place for Victoria Country in January’s Australian Country Championships, with both VCCL teams winning their sections — the first time we’ve secured dual titles in the same year. That makes it three of the last four for the men and a second for the women, adding to their 2018 triumph. Congratulations to all involved, especially first-time coaches Luke Manders and Tammy Norquay, captains Jake Toohey and Steph Townsend, and MVPs Lee Stockdale (R M Hooper medal) and Erica Kershaw (Raelee Thompson Trophy).
Melbourne Country Week also delivered success, with wins to Ferntree Gully (Provincial), Ballarat (Division 2), and Sunraysia (Division 3). Ferntree Gully was the only unbeaten Provincial team and defeated Sale Maffra in the final. Ballarat will return to Provincial next season, while Warrnambool Moyne will be relegated to Division 2.
Northern Rivers and Barwon claimed the Under 18 and Under 21 male championships, respectively — a credit to their strong programs.
The inaugural Open Female Twenty20 Challenge was held at Catherine McAuley College in Bendigo on November 23, 2024, with Northern Rivers emerging victorious.
We also sadly farewelled Rob McIntyre, who passed away on February 22, 2025. A champion for country cricket, he served the VCCL with distinction and was honoured with the R F Merriman Medallion at the 2024 AGM.
Presentations at the AGM included new life members
Alan Sperling and Anthony Martin, and Hall of Fame inductees Jay Colee, Jason Fraser, Donald Lang, Peter Raglus, Graham Turner, Robert Bedford, Paul Bradley, Cheryl Connolly, and Heath Pyke.
pleasing to see growth in girls’ cricket, with 28 teams participating, reinforcing the carnival’s role as a key pathway for female players.
Looking ahead, VMCU will focus on growing and retaining participation, running a successful junior carnival, and supporting volunteers and administrators. Continued effective use of PlayHQ and OfficialsHQ will also be a priority, along with seeking further improvements.
A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers. Your efforts drive community cricket, helping players enjoy the game and its many physical, social, and mental health benefits.
Junior (5-12) participation up
Woolworths Cricket
Blast steady at 2.4%
16,300
Women’s and girls’ participation up Senior participation up 8%
5.1%
In season 2024-25 we expanded our cricket programs with the introduction of a North-West Sunday Competition, supported by 10 clubs. Werribee won the inaugural premiership in this competition. During the season we again witnessed some outstanding cricket being played with Sahan Perera (Noble Park) setting a new aggregate run record with 1,071 runs, while Brenton Hodges (Williamstown) broke the keeper dismissals record with 539.
The Woolworths Cricket Blast program ran at 25 clubs with about 100 female participants. Sixteen of our clubs now have a female cricket program, a mix of senior and under-aged sides. Caulfield
won the First XI South/West Group Premiership, while Preston claimed the North/East Group title for the first time since 2002-2003.
Brighton defeated Melton in the final of the Under 15 JG Craig Premiership, and Hoppers Crossing our T20 Twilight Premiership.
At our Annual Presentation Night, Sahan Perera of Noble Park won his second Val Holten Medal for best First XI player. William (Bill) Price and Anthony Gale were inducted into the VSDCA Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Association.
THANK YOU TO OUR
SEASON 24/25
