Cricket NSW to make ‘momentous’ move from SCG to western Sydney
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Cricket NSW has been forced to move from its Sydney Cricket Ground headquarters to a new facility near Olympic Park as a result of the Sydney Football Stadium rebuild.
The new $50 million facility will be at Wilson Park, next to Silverwater prison and the Parramatta River.
"Today is a momentous day for NSW cricket's 159 year history, we've never had a home that we manage and control, yet we've produced the best male and female cricketers in Australia," said Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones.
Key points
- Players say the current SCG location has been overcrowded
- The $50 million headquarters will replace current facilities to be demolished for the new Sydney Football Stadium
- Cricket NSW will have a temporary home at Olympic Park until construction is completed in 2022
Cricket NSW's current training facilities next to the SCG at Moore Park will be demolished in January to make way for the new Sydney Football Stadium, which will be completed by 2022.
"It's the national sport and NSW is such an important part of the national cricketing framework, but for too long they haven't had the facilities they deserve, that's changing," said NSW's Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres.
The NSW Government is investing $30 million into the facility.
The new facility will include:
- A centre for excellence
- High performance training centre
- Administration facilities
- Gymnasium
- Hot and cold recovery
- 10 indoor cricket lanes
- 67 outdoor practice wickets
- Full size ICC compliant oval
- Junior field open to the public
New facility to by built by 2022
Cricket NSW says the new facility will be the best in Australia.
Construction is due to be finished in 2022 and between now and then, Cricket NSW will have a temporary home at Olympic Park.
Moore Park will still be used as a hub for match-day training, when games are held at the SCG.
Players said they have struggled with lack of space and overcrowding at the SCG location.
The rise of the women's game and Big Bash League has meant space is at a premium.
"We've been dividing our training with a facility out at Blacktown and other suburban grounds so to have a dedicated purpose-built facility is going to be fantastic," said NSW Blues captain Peter Nevill.
"It brings NSW up to parity and allows it to exceed the training facilities of the other states so NSW will continue to produce the most cricketers."
Rene Farrell debuted in 2007 for Australia and said it would have been a dream to have such world class facilities.
"The girls have always had open and honest conversations and it's great to know those concerns have been listened to, it's very exciting," the acting captain of the NSW Breakers said.
"This venue is another one we have up over the Victorians, better than the junction oval," she said.
In a concerted push to boost cricket around the state, centres of excellence have been rolled out across Orange, Penshurst and Camden.
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