Sporting facilities across the country are often described as havens for the community by which they reside.
A place for people to briefly transport away from the challenges of everyday life and immerse themselves in the action that is unfolding before them.
For many, it is where lifelong friendships are born and cherished memories are created.
A sacred place where one is wrapped up in the power of the community.
At Katandra on Saturday afternoon, the power of the local sporting ground was on full display, as the community banded together and supported its beloved cricket club through what can only be described as the most challenging of times.
Sunday week ago, the community was rocked by the news of a single-vehicle crash which claimed the life of 20-year-old Clayton Simpson, who was a much-loved member of Katandra’s cricket and football clubs.
Clayton’s brother Bailey, who played a key role for Katandra in its 2022-23 Haisman Shield campaign, was also involved in the crash and spent the week in hospital being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
For the Katandra side — which last week qualified for an A-grade semi-final against Numurkah after downing reigning premier Moorooopna — getting up to play a game of cricket was far from the most important thing, as the sole focus of the entire club was to wrap its arms around the Simpson family.
But when game day rolled around, the Eagles boys still had a job to do, and with a healthy crowd of emotionally-charged Katandra locals behind them, took the field to try and win a place in a grand final.
From the first ball, every run Katandra scored was met with rapturous applause, as the community came together to cheer on its boys and momentarily escape from the grief that had taken hold throughout the week.
Katandra Recreation Reserve had become their haven for the day, as they watched their Eagles triumph over arch-rival Numurkah by 21 runs in what was a gripping game of cricket.
For Katandra skipper Ben Clurey, the day was one filled with emotion as he and the team fed off the support of the community.
“There was a lot of emotions kicking around the entire day,” Clurey said.
“We did a bit of a tribute to Clay Simpson before the game with plenty of people from the community who came down to watch, and credit to Numurkah who did a guard of honour on the pitch.
“That made for what was a very emotional day, and to have the community behind us cheering us on all day made it a lot easier for us as players out there on the field.”
But in a match filled with highlights, none could top what occurred immediately after the Raymond Ireland run out that ended the game, as the Eagles players embraced to the chorus of delirious cheers from the sidelines.
What made the moment all the more special was the fact that Bailey was on deck to greet his teammates on the boundary line post game, in scenes Clurey described as incredibly emotional and special.
“After the match it was an incredible atmosphere to take in; young Bailey was there on the sidelines and was very emotional as the boys got around him,” he said.
“It was great for the boys to wrap their arms around him and the community, and to come away with the win as well, it was a very special evening at the club and one of the highlights of my career playing cricket.”