Hornsby Shire Council diversity initiatives recognised at Cricket NSW Community awards

Hornsby Shire Council has announced that two local initiatives designed to promote diversity in cricket have been recognised at the Cricket NSW 2024 Community Cricket Awards.

The Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre, delivered in partnership with the Northern District Cricket Club, was named Indoor Cricket Facility of the Year, while the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai and Hills District Cricket Association was also recognised in the Women and Girls Initiative category for its Girls’ Cricket Competition.

Formally opened in February 2023, the Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre in Waitara is the first of its kind in the region. It is used by men and women’s cricket teams for all weather training and specialist coaching. It also supports use by all abilities programs, providing opportunities for people will disability to participate in sport.

The Centre was the second stage of a major upgrade of the oval to improve sports and community facilities. In March 2019, the NSW Government announced a $9 million funding commitment for Council and the Northern District Cricket Club to partner in upgrading sporting facilities at Waitara Park which also includes the reconstruction of the oval playing surface and upgrades to the pavilion.

The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai and Hills District Girls’ Cricket Competition provides opportunities for girls to play in fun, girls-only matches on Friday evenings or Saturday across the region, increasing participation and developing a love of the sport in girls.

Welcoming the recognition, Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock stated “Hornsby Shire Council recognises the importance of community sport to its residents, contributing to both their psychical and mental wellbeing. We are passionate about providing opportunities for all members of the community to participate, including women and people with disability, and are upgrading facilities across the Shire to make this possible.

“Congratulations to the Northern District Cricket Club, our project partners in delivering the Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre. Their vision and dedication made this centre a reality.

“And congratulations also to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai and Hills District Cricket Association for their well-deserved award, recognising their work to provide increased opportunities for female participation in cricket.”

Talking about the indoor cricket centre’s impact, Northern District Cricket Club President, Jeremy Hook advised “

The next stage of the Mark Taylor Oval project is to focus on upgraded off-field supporting infrastructure to accommodate the needs of women, girls and people with disability by improving the changerooms, access and amenities in the pavilion.

Following their success in this week’s Cricket NSW awards, the Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre and Girls’ Cricket Competition have now been nominated for a Cricket Australia Community Cricket Award to be announced in May.

Image: The Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre. Credit: Hornsby Shire Council.