Members of the Creswick Cougars Soccer Club have been left feeling flat after thieves targeted the Doug Lindsay Reserve for a fourth time on Monday night, taking off with a bizarre assortment of bounty.
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Somehow, the criminals managed to remove about 80 – yes, 80 – soccer balls from the club rooms, along with two first aid kits and a suite of trophies.
The brand new Nike balls had been purchased just weeks ago for the start of the season after months of fundraising and had barely touched the turf.
At training on Wednesday afternoon dozens of disgruntled juniors were forced to make do with old equipment rummaged from the homes of players and coaches.
Creswick Cougars president Chantel Leaver said the club’s more than 100 members were predominantly aged between five and 17, and it was them who would be disadvantaged by the theft.
“We rely on volunteers and fundraisers to keep going and are disappointed someone has targeted our small club,” Ms Leaver said of the callous break-in.
“There is no alcohol or money in our rooms and ultimately the perpetrators are stealing from children.
“Instead of crime why (don’t they) join a sporting club...(they) may like it!”
While the silverware was later found damaged and dumped on the grounds at nearby Creswick Primary School and first aid equipment was scatted around the club, the location of the balls remains a mystery.
The cost of the balls alone topped $2000.
The club will hold a trivia night next Friday in an effort to recoup some of the cash needed to restock equipment for the remainder of season 2018.
“It was a big investment for the club just to get the money for the balls and first aid kits,” Ms Leaver said.
Bacchus Marsh Senior Detective Bryan Malloch urged anyone with information to contact the Bacchus Marsh Crime Investigation Unit or make a confidential report to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
