The final siren calls. Players shake hands, offer commiserations or congratulations, then escape from the beat of the scorching sun to the refuge of the sheds.
But to the players’ collective dismay, they discover their water bottles are empty. They turn to the runners, who shrug their shoulders.
The only water tap on site, it turns out, is swamped by a wasp nest.
It’s tough luck, but everyone will have to buy a bottle of water at the club house.
Fortunately, for players and spectators at two towns in Moira Shire, such a situation will now be avoided.
In collaboration with Moira Shire Council, Goulburn Valley Water has furthered its goal of increasing the number of permanent hydration stations across rural communities in Moira Shire.
Two new hydration stations were installed at the Picola and Strathmerton recreation reserves recently, taking the total number in Moira Shire to 13.
Other hydration stations are located in Cobram, Nathalia, Katamatite, Wunghnu, Barmah, Katunga and Yarroweyah.
Goulburn Valley Water managing director Steve Capewell said that ensuring hydration stations were located in areas where they would be most beneficial was an important part of the partnerships the agency had with local councils.
“This latest installation does just that, with football, golf, cricket, tennis, netball, lawn bowls and a variety of other non-mainstream sports based at the recreation reserves,” Dr Capewell said.
“It would be great to think that, like the commitment we made several years ago to have hydration stations in every town with a drinking water supply, we could continue to work with shires to have the refill sites based at other recreation reserves in the northern region.”
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Graeme Emonson said the new hydration stations were welcome additions to the shire.
He said it was great to see the 13 hydration stations well used across the community.
“They offer an inexpensive, healthy option of hydrating, and by choosing to refill rather than purchase bottled water, we are not only reducing waste, but also the energy and resources needed to produce single-use items,” Dr Emonson said.