Council insurers have blocked a Tasmanian cricket club from playing first grade games at its home oval, fearing an increase in fours and sixes would endanger nearby houses and a children’s playground.
The decision comes despite the Brighton City Council recently forking out $30,000 of ratepayers’ money to install protective netting at Cloak Oval, the home of the Old Beach Cricket Club which plays in the Southern Cricket Association.
After making the SCA second grade grand final last season and being promoted to first grade, Old Beach were distraught to discover just ten days before the start of the season that they are no longer allowed to play at the ground they have called home for more than 130 years.
Old Beach treasurer Davin Woolbridge said he was confused by the whole process.
“We got a call from the association a couple of weeks ago saying they’d received an email from the council saying we’re not allowed to play first grade at Old Beach,” Woolbridge said.
“We’re allowed to play second grade games, but from what they’ve told us, one of the councillors had concerns about the size of the oval a few years ago when they did a new safety audit and raised insurance concerns.
“They got a new insurance audit done and that was one of their concerns — about the ground being too small and there being too many risks associated with cricket on a cricket ground.”
A statement from Brighton Council said it had been working for a number of years to resolve issues at Cloak Oval.
“Unfortunately, the ground’s proximity to a playground and houses means there is a risk of injury or damage to property in the event balls are struck out of the ground, and this has implications for insurance, as well as public safety,” Mayor Leigh Gray said.
“In order to try to resolve this issue, Brighton Council worked with the club to install protective netting, as well as limit the type of games being played to minimise the likelihood of balls being hit into neighbouring areas.
“The most recently installed netting in the vicinity of the playground came at a cost of about $30,000.
“The club has elected to step up a competition grade this coming season, and while Council acknowledges that decision, it does increase the risk of damage or injury, which our insurers have advised is not acceptable.
“Ultimately, Brighton Council wants Old Beach Cricket Club to continue playing, but we also have an obligation to ensure public safety is being maintained to the best of our ability, as well as be mindful of insurance issues. Council is a strong supporter of community sport, but we don’t want to see anyone hurt. An alternative ground would ensure the club can continue to play without undue risk.”
The decision comes just two years after the club was told it would not be allowed to play T20 cricket at the same venue.
SCA president Steve Burdon said all clubs were in favour of keeping Old Beach in first grade.
“We had a meeting last night, which members from each club came to, including captains, and all strongly believe Old Beach deserve to be in our top grade,” Burdon said.
“We had a meeting with Brighton Council earlier on in the year about putting more cricket on and using these grounds, and that was successful, which has been good. But during that meeting, we asked if Old Beach could play first grade T20 games at that ground and they said the current arrangements in place for T20 would remain the same at this stage.
“But I did question the authenticity around how they came to the insurance arrangement when it conflicts with the views of Cricket Australia and the product that they supply to every club in the country.
“The Australian insurance cover that’s provided to all clubs across Australia is designed as a one-stop product — it covers every single club. If there was a requirement for that club to obviously have more insurance to minimise the impact of the risk to the council, then why wouldn’t they have that conversation?”
Scott, the owner of the coffee shop 5.0 Old Beach located on the same grounds as the cricket oval said sport should be encouraged to play not less.
“I think that it’s being far too governed, just let them play ball,” he said.
“You run a risk just by going outside your front door everyday, I am sure there is a way that the club and the council can come to some agreement and let them play top grade cricket here.”
Former Old Beach player Peter Reeve, who owns a property just next to the oval, said if the council were serious about playing sport on the oval, they need to invest.
“My thoughts are they should put up the proper fence like they have in front of the playground, not that weak fish net type stuff at cow corner,” Reeve said.
“Yes it’s going to cost money we understand that, but they spend all the money out in Brighton and Bridgewater, we’re a resident of Old Beach, how about investing in our safety by putting it into here.
“The boys should be able to play first grade cricket here, but the council need to invest in the oval otherwise they relocate and why should they do that.
“I think it’s pretty unfair and they’ve been here for such a long time and look, I’ve seen a few balls launched and I get first grade means quicker bowlers and if a bat gets onto one then it will go a bit further but it also means better bowlers as well.”
Originally published as Old Beach Cricket Club blocked from playing first grade at home oval over safety fears