It's been a long time coming but finally, local sport will return across the Riverina this weekend with round one of Hume cricket.
Cricket Albury Wodonga officially began last Saturday with its provincial first grade and second-grade competition's playing a series of T20 matches on Saturday and Sunday. This marked the earliest return from the recent lockdowns for country sport in both states.
The return of Hume cricket this Saturday will be the first competitive match of any sport played in the Riverina since the Football and Netball seasons shut down in mid-August. Cricket Albury Wodonga chairperson Michael Erdeljac says it's been important for the region to have sport back again.
"What I'm looking forward to this weekend is to see sport return to the smaller country towns that were hit the hardest when football was shut down,"
"They've had nothing for three months. Some of these guys come off farms that are thousands of acres. They might not have seen anyone for weeks outside of their direct family."
Michael said seeing the faces of those around the grounds of the provincial grade competition last weekend made all of the hard work off-field worthwhile.
"We've worked with both cricket Victoria and cricket NSW to make this happen. We've also worked closely with our local councils. We've got 8 LGA's to consult with across our competitions," said Erdeljac.
"Only double vaccinated people can enter the grounds to play or spectated which is a directive of the health department.
"The hard work of club and association volunteers behind the scenes that have helped us tick all boxes can not be underestimated".
This Saturday's first-grade matches in Hume Cricket are
Walla Walla v Culcairn
Osborne v The Rock Yerong Creek
Henty v Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock
Holbrook v Rand
Lockhart has the BYE
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