The annual Global Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships takes place from December 27 to 30 this year, with 21 teams competing over five separate divisions.
The round robin competitions will consist of three 50 over matches, and two Twenty20’s on day two of competition for the men, while the ladies will play in two 40 over matches each as well as two Twenty20 matches.
The Cup grade men’s competition will be the highlight of the tournament, with Global Water Gladiators leading the charge for the local sides.
Above photos show Willowfest organisers, sponsors & supporters including Global Roto Moulding General Manager Rohan Shugg, festival organiser Anthony Telfer, Mildura Mayor John Arnold and other sponsors, councillors & committee.
All teams in Cup grade will be playing for the Powercor Cup, and the winning side will also receive $3000 in prize money.
The annual tournament will also consist of two of it’s more favourite events, the Tankard Dental Willowfest Whack and the Willowfest Express.
The Whack is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the carnival, with the competition being exactly as it sounds, the person who can hit the ball the furthest will be declared the winner.
The Express will commence after the whack has been completed.
Anyone can nominate to participate and each competing bowler is allowed to bowl three balls to get the fastest radar gun reading possible.
No balls and full tosses will be disallowed, with the fastest delivery recorded being declared the winner.
Final presentations will be awarded on December 30 at the presentation dinner commencing at 7pm.
The inaugural
Charlie Haeusler Award will be presented to the player of the carnival, named after the man who is credited with creating the Willowfest, as well the awards for best performed batsmen and bowler of the carnival.
The men in white will also be recognised with the umpires of the carnival to receive awards.
The best eleven players of the tournament will be named and the winner of the Willowfest whack will also be presented with his or her prize.
It all adds up to a magnificent week of cricket in Mildura.
Willowfest president Anthony Telfer said that he was definitely looking forward to the huge week.
“I’m pretty excited about it, especially the Cup grade competition,” he said.
“Usually you can have a look and say one team or another are the favourites, but it is a very even competition this year.”
Despite the Ashes schedule knocking the carnival around slightly, the competition still has an incredible eight new teams.
“The Ashes being on has knocked us around a bit,” he said.
“But it is really exciting to have eight new teams in the competition.
“It is the highest amount of new teams we have ever had at once.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how it all goes.”
