Torquay’s Wurdi Baierr Stadium to receive retractable seating for 500 fans
Geelong hoops is on the cusp of a new era with two sports stadiums poised to have show courts in the future.
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The region is poised to have two show courts in the future with a Surf Coast sports stadium to boast an extra 500 seats by the middle of this year.
The Surfcoast Chargers’ division two Big V games will be able to host hundreds more fans at Torquay’s Wurdi Baierr Stadium under a new plan which includes retractable seating.
Initially meant to be completed before the start of the Big V season, it’s now expected to be done by the middle of 2025.
A show court with tiered seating would allow the stadium to host representative and exhibition games while creating an enhanced atmosphere.
The stadium could also host larger events including shows, conferences, school and community activities or be used by private hirers, following a $500,000 allocation from the Federal Government.
It comes as new State Government documents – which included renders – revealed there was “provision for a future show court” at the new Waurn Ponds sports complex, with works to begin in coming months.
Surfcoast Chargers men’s team coach Dan Riches said it was likely to be a “gamechanger” for the sport in the region.
“I think it’s going to add another dimension,” Riches said.
“The club has a real investment in the game night experience.
“Once you get the seating, a microphone and some music, it’s not big a deal to run a really good night in a basketball stadium.
“So I think it’s going to be really good for the region.
“Hopefully we can fill it up the second half of the year.
“Down in Torquay in the middle of winter, there’s not much to do on a Saturday night.”
Riches said there were also plans in place to install a Jumbrotron TV, adding an extra element on game night.
The Chargers’ division two teams have started the season strongly, with the men 4-0 heading into the Easter break while the women’s outfit is 3-1.
Depth a challenge but also a benefit for the Surfcoast Chargers
An extremely deep roster has provided a challenge for new Surfcoast Chargers coach Dan Riches, but it should help this weekend as the team face back-to-back matches from Friday night.
The Chargers have started the Big V division two season 4-0, with wins over Southern Peninsula, twice over Melton, and last year’s preliminary finalist, Mildura.
US import Dexter Graham has continued his strong form from 2024, averaging 17 points and a league-high 5.5 assists a game while Rohan Jarvie picked up 12 boards in a 14-point win over Melton on April 12 and is sixth in the competition for rebounds.
However, Riches said the Chargers’ tremendous depth should be a benefit as they play the Sharks on Friday in Rosebud and then Wallan the following evening at home.
The Chargers handed gametime to 11 players against Southern Pen in Round 1, 12 against the Heat in Round 3 and 12 versus Melton.
“My biggest challenge at the moment is that we’re so deep,” Riches said.
“There’s couple of blokes who are always going to be annoyed and not get what they feel they need.
“So I’m still balancing that out, but the challenge is that these guys are pushing for each other’s minutes, and they’re all deserving.
“I’m usually rotating eight, nine (players).”
He said the addition of four new players with state championship experience – in particular Tyrone Remy and Nathan Gronbeck from the Bellarine Storm – had made a big difference.
“They can all play, and three of those four are starters,” he said
“They’re really good teammates these new guys, so they’ve adapted in really well.
“But playing with 12 is not sustainable ... at the moment the biggest challenge is getting the minutes right across the board.
“This team is still learning about itself, because it’s so different to last year, we’re still getting to know each other.”
He said he loved Gronbeck’s game so far, describing him as essentially a Dexter Graham clone.
“He’s really tough in offensive transition, he can get to the rim and he’s really comfortable in traffic,” he said.
“And he’s got a pretty good post game ... you can always bank on him, he plays defence every possession.”
Riches said Remy, who had arrived as a point guard option, was starting to find his feet and had an ability to find the right teammate at the right time.
“The first couple of games he was below where he wanted to be,” he said.
“The last two though, he’s starting to play like I expected him to be able to.
“He’s hitting the threeball ... he’s leading the charge with our defence.”
While the Chargers have hit the 90-point mark in three of their four games, Riches says the team can improve in that area.
“I think we’re underperforming on the scoring side of things, at least 10 to 15 points a game,” he said.
“The first two games we gave up maybe 20, 30 points more than we should have.”
He said game-busting quarters – 30-14 against the Sharks in Round 1, 33-18 against the Heat – was evidence of their offensive transition clicking: “We’re a running team, so it frees up (Jason) Reardon to catch and shoot, it gets him really good, quality looks and his job is to just knock them down.”
Meanwhile, the Chargers’ division two women’s team started the season with three consecutive wins, including large victories over Southern Peninsula and RMIT University by 29 and 35 points respectively.
Candice Rogers has been an offensive weapon, second in the competition for average points (22) and rebounds (13.25).
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Originally published as Torquay’s Wurdi Baierr Stadium to receive retractable seating for 500 fans
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