Trentham Cricket Club’s revival boosted by Big Bash cash windfall

Big Bash stars Glenn Maxwell and Daniel Hughes can drink in Trentham for free after helping the local cricket club win a massive cash boost.

Trentham Cricket Club scored a cash windfall from the Big Bash League. Picture: Supplied

If Glenn Maxwell or Daniel Hughes are ever in the small Macedon Ranges town of Trentham, chances are drinks and a feed will be free.

The pair’s Big Bash League fireworks on Boxing Day helped deliver Trentham Cricket Club a $10,000 injection through the Toyota Bash for Cash.

The initiative delivers $500 for every six hit – to a maximum of $10,000 – and Maxwell’s Stars and Hughes’ Sixers smashed a combined 29.

The windfall will be a massive boost for the club that was on the verge of folding a number of times in recent years.

The Saints have one senior team in the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s Division 3 – the league’s sixth tier – and for the first time in several seasons two under-12 teams.

The Trentham Cricket Club juniors. Picture: Supplied

Trentham president Jason Shaw said the club had seen a resurgence recently and the Bash of Cash money would help the club continue to rebuild.

“We’re just a small local club, we’ve nearly folded a couple of times – we’re down to one senior side the last few years – and struggling on and off the field to be honest,” he said.

“There’s been a real resurgence in the club over the past two or three years and getting the juniors restarted was a huge step forward for us.

“It’s a lot of money for a little club like ours, the bank account might typically be $1000 if you’re going well, so have an injection of funds like that is pretty significant.

“I think the minimum is $2500, so even to come away with that would have made a big difference for us, but to see the maximum number of sixes hit on the night is unbelievable and it will set us up for the next few years.”

The Saints will continue to invest in their junior program with the hope of starting an under-14s team next season to help their player progress through the age groups.

Trentham Cricket Club scored a cash windfall from the Big Bash League. Picture: Supplied

The club’s infrastructure will be upgraded and there’s been talk of outside coaching for the juniors, an electronic scoreboard and even a bowling machine.

“We’ll invest it directly in some capital works, our infrastructure is a bit run down,” Shaw said.

“We’ll look at improving our nets, our pitch needs some new synthetic carpet put down and then we’ll invest in our junior program.

“That’s our big priority now to get that up and running, so we’ll get some new gear for the kids.

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“After several years – four or five – without any junior teams it was a priority for us and we put the call out before this season hoping to get one team.

“There were 17 kids turn up to the first night of training, so we quickly entered a second team, and the kids are having a great time.”

Trentham’s senior side sits on top of the Division 3 ladder and looks a strong chance of winning promotion.

After a bye following the Christmas break, the Saints return to the field when they host Eynesbury on Saturday.