Maroochydore Cricket Club scores with new oval

Queensland Minister for Sport Steve Dickson has opened the Kerry Emery Oval at the Maroochydore Cricket Club.
Named for one of the Sunshine Coast sporting community's leading members, the $403,000 multi-sports oval has been welcomed for enhancing facilities at an already popular local sports club.
Speaking at the opening Minister Dickson explained "Kerry Emery has been a stalwart of the game in our area for many years, and is a Maroochydore Cricket Club Honorary Life Member as well as current President of the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association.
"Constructed under our Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Program, the Kerry Emery Oval will not only increase participation in cricket, but also provide a great sporting facility for participants in athletics, softball, AFL and other users of the Elizabeth Daniels Reserve.
"The new oval will help the Maroochydore Cricket Club attract new members, host competitions and stage tournaments.
"Community projects such as this form the backbone of our effort to encourage people to get more active."
Minister Dickson also made reference to the Queensland Government's initiatives to get more Queenslanders involved in recreation and sport at all levels, adding "we are assisting sport and recreation clubs and families at the grassroots community level through our $18 million 'Get in the Game' initiative.
"Through three new funding programs, we're providing clubs with better services and facilities and funding to assist children who can least afford or may otherwise benefit from joining a sporting club.
"Sport and recreation not only promotes and enables a healthier lifestyle, but are an important means of uniting and strengthening local communities."