Queenscliff president Ali Waight says being forced to shift its Easter Saturday matchup with Ocean Grove away from the Couta Bowl “will impact us significantly” but stopped short of putting a figure on how it will affect the club’s bottom line.
With its home ground potentially needed for a Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s reserve day, the Coutas will now play the Grubbers at Ray Menzies Oval on Good Friday.
“It’s my understanding that they still haven’t got confirmation that they will be hosting,” she said.
“But it is a problem for a lot of the Bellarine grounds, the crossover.
“Most of us take over (our grounds) on the 1st of April, and having the game on the 30th of March is posing a problem for a lot of clubs.
“We haven’t been able to gain access to our facility for our first home game.”
However, Waight is confident Queenscliff can overcome missing out on the most lucrative home-and-away game of the season.
“We’ve got lots planned for the calendar year – lots of functions and events – and we’ve got a drive to gain 500 social members,” she said.
“So, we’ve got a lot going on. Financially, we’re OK.
“More importantly, traditionally, for all of the Couta members and all of the holidaymakers that make it part of their Easter weekend.
“It’s sad that we won’t get that, but the next two Easters fall later in April, so we’re hoping we might be able to nab those, seeing we haven’t got it this year, and we missed out last year when we went to Torquay on Good Friday.”
X: @krockfootball
