Queensland cricket secures massive infrastructure investment

The Queensland Government is making significant investments in cricket with the announcement of details for the new $18.3 million National Cricket Campus in Brisbane along with a $1.2 million investment in community cricket infrastructure projects across the state.

Advising that National Cricket Campus will bring the best coaches, sports scientists and administrators to Queensland, Queensland Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni stated “our strong partnerships with Australia's sporting bodies and their State organisations means Queensland is likely to become the home of choice for more elite programs than ever before, with the National Cricket Centre (NCC) one of the first additions.”

Terry Svenson, acting Chief Executive at Queensland Cricket, said the National Cricket Campus was one of the most significant projects undertaken by Queensland Cricket as it will deliver Brisbane with the world’s best cricket training facility.

Svenson stated “the Campus will impact everyone from elite cricketers in our Australian and Queensland Men’s and Women’s teams, through to junior, senior and all-abilities players.

“The development of the Campus will make Queensland the home of women’s cricket in Australia, which will help to drive female participation growth and support levels for our elite women’s teams.”

With the Queensland Government having also announced a $35 million investment in upgrades at the Gabba, Minister de Brenni advised that investments in the games are already paying off, with Cricket Australia having confirmed the first test of the 2021/22 Ashes series will once again be held at the famous Brsibane venue.

Minister de Brenni went on to say that the $1.3 billion sports and recreation strategy Activate! Queensland was supporting all Queensland cricketers, adding “Activate! Queensland has enabled us to commence a re-set of the relationship between government and sporting codes, fostering a new era of growth in participation, right through to elite sporting excellence nationally and internationally.”

At the grassroots level, community cricket infrastructure projects in Queensland received record support in 2018/19 with over $1.2 million committed to constructing and upgrading grassroots facilities.

47 Queensland-based infrastructure projects with a total estimated value of $10.3 million received funding commitments in the past year, the largest investment into community cricket facilities in Queensland Cricket history.

Nationally, 240 cricket facility projects received over $5.5 million in funding as part of the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF), a funding partnership between State Cricket Associations, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association.

The record investment into grassroots cricket projects was achieved by clubs applying for grants through the ACIF, with a focus on delivering projects prioritised in the Queensland Cricket Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2028 (QCIS).

The QCIS was launched in November 2018 following a comprehensive two-and-a-half-year audit of community cricket facilities in Queensland. The outcome of the audit was a range of immediate, short- and medium-term priority projects aimed at improving community cricket facilities and providing greater experiences for grassroots participants.

The Queensland projects approved for funding in 2018/19 under the ACIF include a range of significant lighting, field, training facility and construction works. Some highlighted projects include:

Tewantin-Noosa Cricket Club received $50,000 under the ACIF, with the Federal Government contributing $500,000 and the State Government $150,000 to upgrade lighting, extend wicket blocks and build new turf and synthetic nets.

The development, which is expected to be fully completed in late 2019, will allow more players access to the ground across 12-months of the year, with the planned 750-lux lighting upgrade meaning first grade men’s and women’s games can be played at night and under-lights.

Cahill Park Sports Complex in Gatton received a $20,000 ACIF grant towards a $400,000 lighting upgrade, expected to have significant outcomes for the multi-sport venue. With completion slated for late 2019 during the cricket season, the upgrade will allow for greater community access across a variety of sports including cricket, netball, rugby league and touch football.

Maroochydore Cricket Club was successful in applying for a $37,200 grant under the ACIF. The $108,000 project will see wickets upgraded and new synthetic nets built at this vital Elizabeth Daniels Park facility on the Sunshine Coast. The net upgrade will be completed this month, with restoration of John Blanck Oval to be finished in early 2020.

With female participation significantly increasing across Queensland, Redlands Cricket Club have recently completed a major infrastructure project to ensure their facilities are female and community friendly.

Redlands received $50,000 as part of a $387,000 project to upgrade change rooms and sightscreens, while also undergoing vital electrical, roofing and fencing works at their home ground.

Queensland Cricket’s Terry Svenson said the work being done under the QCIS and ACIF will have a significant and long-lasting impact on cricket., noting “Queensland Cricket’s purpose is to provide outstanding experiences for communities across the state, so ensuring our clubs and participants are playing on quality ground and accessing better facilities remains our priority.

“The past few years has seen a big uplift in the number of women and girls playing cricket, so we need to make sure our club venues and change rooms are at a standard where all players feel welcome and comfortable.

“The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund has been a game-changer in improving facilities for our cricket facilities, and we are already seeing the positive effect it is having, particularly in our regional communities.”

Images: Artist's impressions of the new National Cricket Campus (top and middle) and the Redlands Cricket Club (below).