Morris Reserve’s $3m upgrade leaves boundaries too short

A $3 million council revamp of a Pascoe Vale South ground has left the boundaries at least 10m short of minimum national guidelines for West Coburg Cricket Club’s under-12 team.

The artificial pitch is just 30m from a walking track. Picture: Hamish Blair

Moreland Council has been caught out after spending almost $3 million on redeveloping a cricket oval with boundaries too short for under-12s to play on.

Morris Reserve in Pascoe Vale South is home to West Coburg Cricket Club’s under-12 team and recently underwent a major facelift.

Upgrades included a footpath around the oval, carpark improvements, upgrades to the pavilion, new cricket practice nets, a new synthetic pitch, turf pitches and two netball courts.

The artificial pitch used by the under-12 team is close to basketball courts. Picture: Hamish Blair

As part of the redevelopment the synthetic pitch the junior side plays on was moved to the other side of the oval, but because of a new footpath circuit around the ground the boundary is only 30m away on the west side of the ground.

On the east side, because of the turf pitch in the middle of the oval, the boundary is 28m.

Cricket Australia guidelines state the preferred minimum boundary length for under-12 players is 40m, while the recommended length is 45m.

Cricket Australia's minimum boundary requirements for different age groups.

Moreland Council Community Development director Arden Joseph said West Coburg Cricket Club had been a key player in the masterplan consultation process.

“West Coburg Cricket Club was active throughout the masterplan consultation process, asking for extensions to the cricket-wicket turf table and cricket practice nets, which reduced the dimensions of the oval for synthetic competition at Morris Reserve,” he said.

Another view of the artificial pitch on Morris Reserve. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mr Joseph said only the under-12 synthetic team was affected by the small ground.

“Morris Reserve accommodates the under-12 synthetic junior competition, while the club’s synthetic teams over this age group have been allocated to use Shore Reserve and Fleming Park, as per the club request through the council’s ground application process.”

West Coburg Cricket Club secretary Geoff Law told the Leader throughout the consultation process the council had told the club 30m boundaries were acceptable under Cricket Australia regulations.

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West Coburg Cricket Club plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association, which doesn't specify a minimum boundary distance.

As a result the under-12 team will be able to host games at the oval.

In its rules it states: “For under-12 grades the boundary will normally be an oval of radius 45

metres measured from the centre stump at each end.”

The association was contacted but refused to comment.