Community cricket leaders join Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria at the MCG

Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive James Sutherland and Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Tony Dodemaide joined Australian grassroots cricket leaders at the MCG yesterday (Sunday 15th July) to outline the future of cricket in the first Victorian roadshow, one of 15 roadshows occurring across the country over the next two months.

The event is part of an initiative that will engage over 2,000 community cricket leaders around the nation, communicating to them their role in inspiring the next generation of fans and participants.

Sutherland and Dodemaide headed an eminent array of presenters including CA Head of Strategy Andrew Jones, Cricket Victoria Chairman Geoff Tamblyn and Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers and VicSpirit representatives Peter Siddle, Michael Hill, Meg and Anna Lanning.

Set at Australia's home of cricket, the MCG, community cricket leaders, club and association administrators from across Victoria will join the conversation about how cricket can inspire the next generation of players and fans.

Sutherland explained "cricket is in a strong position as a truly national sport with three unique forms of the game and a junior participation base that has increased significantly in recent years.

"We've seen the success of the roadshow in Sydney and now we have the chance to bring Victorian community cricket leaders to the home of cricket, the MCG, to contribute to the future of Australian cricket.

"The continued success of cricket relies on the contribution of all its stakeholders from grassroots to the elite working together to unify cricket and entrench it as Australia's favourite sport by inspiring the next generation of players and fans."

The occasion provided community cricket stakeholders the unique opportunity to share insight via specialised workshops with both CA and CV about the current Australian cricket landscape.

In addition to sharing views on the various opportunities and challenges that face grassroots cricket, the event gives cricket's community stakeholders the chance to understand the strategic plans of Victorian and Australian cricket, which aim to unify Australian cricket from top to bottom.

Dodemaide added "the roadshows should provide the perfect opportunity for many of our stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of the vision for the sport both in Victoria and Australia

"As an organisation, we are 100% committed to being the number one state for fan passion, participation, production of Australian players, cricket leadership and investment in the game.

"It's imperative, however, that we not only share our vision for the future, but that we are continually listening to our members and stakeholders and at all times representing them in the best possible manner."

Three additional roadshows will be staged in Victoria over the ensuing weeks, with events planned to take place in Traralgon on 29th July, Albury-Wodonga on 5th August and Bendigo on 19th August.

Image courtesy of Cricket Victoria.

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