Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket
Queensland schools will benefit from a new injection of infrastructure funding that will deliver more places for Queenslanders to play cricket in 2023.
The latest Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF) breakdown has produced exciting outcomes for Queensland, with round two funding requests from the State recently formalised.
The 2022-23 ACIF round 2 includes 29 successful projects that will receive a total of $478,472.40 which will fund an overall total of $3,513,918.88 in cricket infrastructure in Queensland.
Approx 40% of this round were for projects within regional areas, including new projects as well as refurbishments, replacements, and upgrades of existing infrastructure.
Among the successful ACIF candidates were the Paroo Shire Council in Cunnamulla that applied for funding for a new outdoor cricket practice facility, lighting of Rockhampton Brothers training facilities, a new synthetic pitch for Gladstone Cricket Association, renewed training facilities for Maryborough District Cricket Association and upgrades to Sandgate-Redcliffe’s training complex at Deagon including flood lighting.
Queensland Cricket, with the support of Cricket Australia, has also revealed a new funding initiative for 2022-23.
The Cricket in Schools – Infrastructure Improvement Program is a school specific funding round that aims to grow community cricket through the development of more cricket facilities for schools and cricket club use.
The $160,000 commitment will cover minor infrastructure grants, enabling schools to receive funding up to $10,000 or 50% of the total project cost under $20,000.
This will allow schools to install new synthetic cricket wickets or resurface existing cricket pitches.
This initiative forms part of the new QC Schools Strategy which includes participation initiatives, purchasing cricket equipment for schools, umpiring courses and infrastructure support.
The Cricket in Schools – Infrastructure Improvement Program also coincides with the second round of the Go for Gold Fund currently being rolled out by Queensland Government.
In a further boost for cricket infrastructure, 11 Queensland clubs and associations have been able to access $250,000 of funding as part of the National Disaster & Flood Recovery Fund.
QC and CA identified priority targets that had been affected by recent flooding, in particular the February 2022 weather event.
Among those able to implement rebuilding and flood-proofing projects were the following:
Loganholme Cricket Club – Tansey Park
Valley District Cricket Club – Bancroft Park
Muddies Cricket & Recreational Club Inc – Judy Holt Reserve
Logan Village Cricket Club Inc – Newstead Oval
Bulimba Cricket Club – Colmslie Recreation Reserve
Brookfield United Cricket Club – Brookfield State School
Fassifern Cricket Association – Coronation Park
Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club – Carmichael Park
Mater Hill Cricket Club (Carina) – Vince Herbert Oval
Additionally, the Queensland Government’s Minor Infrastructure funding round has committed almost $1 million to cricket to help support community sport and recreation.
Among the successful projects are $250,000 to Caboolture Sporting club to replace cricket nets at their Morayfield base, $250,000 to the Logan City Council towards lighting of cricket facilities at Homestead Park and $130,000 to Cooroy-Eumundi cricket club to upgrade their training facilities.
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.
For more information, visit
https://www.qldcricket.com.au/club-assist/grants-and-infrastructure/australian-cricket-infrastructure-fund
