$4 million boost for softball and baseball in South Australia

South Australia's premier softball and baseball venue at Adelaide Shores will be ready for national league competition by next year, after the State Government pitched in a further $2 million to complete the SA State Diamond Sports Centre.

The funding is part of the 2014/15 Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program (CRSFP), which will see $6.9 million shared among 46 projects across South Australia.

This $2 million grant will be used to complete Stage 2 of the new complex at Barrett Reserve, including a shared administration building for Softball SA and Baseball SA, new change rooms for diamonds one and two, and an upgrade of lighting to the main softball diamond.

This comes on the back of a $2 million grant which was awarded in 2013/14 for Stage 1, for a new indoor training facility, a new multi-use softball/baseball diamond, construction of spectator mounds and upgrades of existing diamonds and lighting to international playing standards.

Western Australia Minister for Recreation and Sport Leon Bignell said the $4 million State Government investment would provide South Australians with a key sports hub for baseball and softball, capable of hosting national league games.

Minister Bignell stated "softball and baseball have a combined membership of almost 6,000 in South Australia and deliver school-based programs to more than 66,000 students.

"Once this impressive new venue is completed, I'm sure we'll see a rise in the number of children and adults wanting to try their hand at softball and baseball.

"Having Softball SA and Baseball SA co-located at the new complex will also help to strengthen the relationship between the two sports."

The SA State Diamond Sports Centre is centrally located in the Adelaide Shores precinct, close to accommodation, transport, shopping and the beach, making Adelaide the ideal place for national and international competitions for both sports.

Minister Bignell stated "this new complex will really bring us up to scratch with other softball and baseball venues around Australia and help us to attract big games and big crowds."

Minister Bignell said the Community Recreation and Sport Facility Program supports projects from community-based organisations, local government, active recreation and sport clubs, and schools for the planning and development of new or existing facilities.

He concluded "funding grassroots organisations has a huge benefit for our communities.

"Creating a healthy sporting environment benefits our sports clubs with the flow-on effect of attracting more players, funding, sponsorship opportunities, spectators, and volunteers.

"I'm pleased this funding program opens the doors for hundreds of thousands of South Australians to be involved in sport and active recreation activities."

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