Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The National Cricket Campus is taking shape, with the first two stages of the world-class facility at Shaw Road officially opened today.
As Australian Cricket’s primary national infrastructure project, the $18.8 million project is supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club.
The Campus comprises three stages across the Shaw Road Redevelopment (Stages A & B) and the Allan Border Field Precinct Redevelopment (Stage C). It will provide facilities that can be utilised by international, national and state teams, pathway programs and community cricket clubs.
Partnering with the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club, the development of the Shaw Road precinct will provide access to an additional 20 junior teams on top of the 40 teams that currently use the existing facility, ensuring the growth of cricket is supported at the grassroots level in Brisbane.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, said:
“The official opening of these stages of the National Cricket Campus at Shaw Road is a wonderful milestone,” Hockley said.
“The considerable benefits of the Campus will be felt at every level of the game, from elite performance through to junior cricket.
“This state-of-the-art facility has only been possible through close collaboration and partnership support of the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, Queensland Cricket and the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club. On behalf of Cricket Australia, thank you to everyone involved in this important project which will contribute to the growth of the game at all levels for generations to come.”
Terry Svenson, Queensland Cricket CEO, said:
“The work completed so professionally here will positively impact all players who utilise it in the years ahead, from the young boys and girls from the local community enjoying their first Woolworths T20 Blast experience under lights through to the Australian men’s and women’s teams preparing for international series and tournaments,’’ Svenson said.
Photo credit: Linkedin profile picture of Terry Svenson
“Queensland Cricket congratulates the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council for sharing in the vision, and thanks all of the stakeholders who worked so efficiently here to deliver a world-class training and playing facility in Brisbane.”
“We are excited about bringing the complex here at Norths fully online as preparations begin for the redevelopment of Allan Border Field in the next phase of the overall National Cricket Campus project.”
Hon Trevor Evans MP, Federal Member for Brisbane, said:
“This project is so exciting not only for Brisbane, but for the entire cricket community around the country. World-class facilities like this continue to strengthen Brisbane’s place on every sport lover’s map.
“These new facilities will ensure that all our cricketers have the amenities and playing grounds to thrive, as well nurture our next generation of Tim Paines and Meg Lannings.
“I’m proud to have delivered $7 million in funding from the Australian Government to help make this project possible. It’s one of the first major projects that I undertook to fight for when I became Brisbane’s local MP, and it is fantastic to see it now come to fruition.”
Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Queensland Minister for Sport, said:
“These world-class facilities will be used by elite teams for training and games, while becoming the nation’s premier venue for state, national and youth championships,” he said.
“These two sites will be melting pots for the best coaches, administrators and sports scientists, all pooling their resources to develop cricketing talent.”
“The Campus will enable Queensland to continue its long tradition of producing sporting champions, while encouraging more people to play the game.”
The Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr Adrian Schrinner, said:
“Brisbane City Council is proud to have contributed to the construction of the world-class playing and training venue.
“Some of the best athletes in the world started their journeys in local sporting clubs just like Norths, which are the lifeblood of communities,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This new facility will create even greater opportunities for Brisbane kids to become part of a team environment, and for elite cricketers to grow their talent and take their sport to the next level.”
Paul Keller, Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club President said:
“Norths are excited to see the completion of Stages A & B of the National Cricket Campus at our facilities at Shaw Park. Our seven-year journey to this point represents a milestone that we are extremely proud of and we congratulate all the project partners and the Project Control Group. We see this as a new beginning for Norths that will reinvigorate local cricket in Brisbane.”
“We have come a long way from humble beginnings based in a tin shed with public toilets when we moved from Windsor Park to Shaw Park 20 years ago to the new modern facilities that will cater for High Performance and local cricket. These facilities will change the game for Premier and Community cricket in Queensland significantly.
“Our thanks to Cricket Australia and in particular Scott Lardner the Project Manager; Queensland Cricket; the Australian and State Governments and Brisbane City Council for their contribution to the project. “
