Two matches moved from Mars Stadium this weekend
At least two matches have been moved from one Ballarat stadium to another ahead of this weekend’s matches. And at least one more could be on the move as well. Here is what we know.
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All Greater Western Rebels matches set to be held at Mars Stadium this weekend have been moved.
The decision will allow the stadium to be prepared to deal with upcoming finals and the V-Line Cup after rainfall and heavy use caused damage last weekend.
The City of Ballarat Council has made the move after the council closely monitored the situation with Eastern Oval, City Oval and Mars Stadium muddy after recent rainfall and games at each venue.
Mars Stadium was set to host five matches this weekend with North Ballarat taking on Bacchus Marsh in under-19, reserves and seniors on Saturday and the Rebels facing the Calder Cannons in boys and girls on Sunday.
The Rebels matches have now been moved to Marty Busch Oval with PlayHQ updating the matches on their site.
North Ballarat’s senior and reserves will definitely play at Mars Stadium but the under-19s might be moved to another venue in the North Ballarat Sporting Complex.
Discussions will happen on Thursday night to determine what will happen with the game.
City of Ballarat Council said the decision would be made by North Ballarat Football Netball Club, not them.
A spokesman at the council said the two or three games to be held at Mars Stadium on Saturday would still allow them to adequately prepare the ground for the upcoming finals and the V-Line Cup.
EARLIER
Games at Mars Stadium could be moved this weekend after rain and heavy use of the grounds around Ballarat have left some ovals in a desperate need of repair ahead of finals and major tournaments.
The past two weekend’s of football have left City Oval, Eastern Oval and Mars Stadium muddier than previous years after not only multiple games at the venues but heavy rainfall putting more surface water at the venues.
From July 12 to July 21 there has been 56.6mm of rain compared to 36.6mm and 44mm in the whole of July last year and in 2022 respectively.
The deluge has left grounds in need of repair.
“The City of Ballarat ground staff are closely monitoring the condition of all sporting surfaces, which have been placed under strain following sustained wet and cold weather,” City of Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said.
“Maintaining the standards of our sporting surfaces can prove challenging during particularly wet winters.
“With drier weather forecast this week, we will undertake a series of works to present the surfaces in the best possible conditions.
“We will also continue working closely with clubs to encourage training on drier sections of ovals or modify training to protect playing surfaces, but at this stage there are no current plans to shift training locations.”
City Oval, which will host Ballarat league grand finals in September, is without matches for the next couple of weeks, which should give it time to recover.
Eastern Oval, which hosts the women’s Ballarat league decider, has its next match is on August 3 with East Point playing Lake Wendouree.
It’s the second to last match the venue hosts before the grand final on August 24 and the council is confident that should be enough time for it to recover.
The big concern is with Mars Stadium.
This weekend the ground hosts five matches with North Ballarat taking on Bacchus Marsh on Saturday in three grades.
The next day the Greater Western Victoria Rebels play the Calder Cannons in the boys and girls.
The council said it’s likely some games might be moved.
Mars Stadium hosts an AFL game between the Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants in round 24 before also holding the Central Highlands grand final and the V-Line Cup in September.
“Later this week, we will consider if any matches planned at Mars Stadium this coming weekend can be relocated,” Mayor Hudson said.
“As of next week, we will also be laying new turf on sections of Mars Stadium and we are confident it will be in its usual elite condition for an AFL match on the final home and away round of the season.”
A decision on which games will be moved or if it will happen will be made by Friday.
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