Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket
More than $3.4 million of cricket infrastructure projects in Queensland will benefit from the latest round of approved funding for community cricket through the 2020-21 Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF).
The ACIF is a joint initiative between Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, through its contribution via the Grassroots Cricket Fund, that allows cricket clubs and associations, schools and Councils to apply for funding to build and improve local cricket facilities and grounds.
The ACIF is a joint initiative between Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, through its contribution via the Grassroots Cricket Fund, that allows cricket clubs and associations, schools and Councils to apply for funding to build and improve local cricket facilities and grounds.
Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Terry Svenson said the funding would kick-start 22 important projects throughout the State.
“There are many touchpoints with the ACIF funding,’’ he said.
“Our volunteers work very hard at club and association level and when an opportunity is identified, they play a vital role in connecting all of the elements needed to deliver a significant infrastructure project.”
“The successful projects cover areas such as Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Mackay and the Gold Coast, and it is notable that previously identified growth areas through the Queensland Cricket Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2028 have received valuable funding to either start or complete much-needed projects.”
“The projects cover Queensland Cricket strategic imperatives like floodlighting of playing facilities, as well as new nets and practice facilities and refurbished playing surfaces.
“It is exciting to see one of our clubs, Bulimba Cricket Club, which works heavily with juniors and the Woolworths Blast program, successfully attract funding to enable flood lighting of their fields at the Colmslie Sports Reserve for instance.”
“The ACIF and Grassroots Cricket Fund allow Queensland Cricket to work alongside the clubs and associations and partner with local councils, schools and State and Federal Government departments to bring these important community assets to life.”
“We are very grateful to our partners Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their ongoing support of the ACIF and look forward to working together to bring more important projects to completion in the future,” Svenson said.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said:
“It’s important that Australian Cricket provides funding opportunities to benefit the wider cricket community through the ACIF. These successful projects, in which we are proud to co-invest with our government and private sector partners, support the growth of the game in Queensland by providing facilities that will foster the development of the next generation of cricketers.”
Queensland Fire player Holly Ferling, a Grassroots Cricket Fund ambassador, applauded the latest investment.
“We’ve all started at clubs like Kingaroy Services CC where I played my cricket growing up,” she said.
“I’m really proud to be part of the ACA’s investment in the Grassroots Cricket Fund and being able to see first-hand the difference made by Australia’s professional cricketers investing back in the game that has given us all so much.”
The ACIF plays a crucial role in developing grassroots cricket across the state, especially for kids, and ensuring QC and CA are uniting and inspiring Queensland communities through cricket, and cementing cricket as Australia’s Favourite Sport.
Applications for a new round of ACIF for 2021-22 are due to open later this year, with cricket clubs, Councils and schools encouraged to identify project plans that can be moved forward with ACIF funding support.
A list of the successful Queensland recipients of this round of ACIF funding is available.
