The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is proud to mark a major milestone with the unveiling of its 100th Places to Play pitch at The Heights School.
The Places to Play program helps bring cricket closer to local communities by funding the installation of new cricket pitches on school and council ovals.
Valued at $25,000 each, every pitch is provided on the condition that a local cricket club can access the facility for junior cricket outside school hours.
Since the program’s inception, SACA has invested more than $2 million in Places to Play pitches, creating opportunities for thousands of South Australian students to experience and enjoy cricket in their own communities.
Beyond increasing access to the game, the pitches have enabled local cricket clubs to grow their junior programs while strengthening connections between schools and community clubs. These partnerships have created more pathways for young people to get involved in cricket and stay active.
The impact of the program continues to grow. Over the past three years alone, more than 3,000 community cricket matches have been played on Places to Play pitches located on school ovals across South Australia, highlighting the lasting value these facilities provide for schools, clubs and local communities.
SACA Chief Executive Officer Charlie Hodgson joined Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce to officially unveil the new pitch on Friday at the Modbury Heights campus.
They were joined by Member for Wright and Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer, South Australian players Jemma Barsby and Isabella Malgioglio, SACA’s Game Development Committee Chair Susie Smith, City of Tea Tree Gully Mayor Marika Ryan and local councillors.
Speaking at the unveiling, SACA Chief Executive Officer Charlie Hodgson said the milestone reflected the Association’s long-term commitment to growing participation and investing in quality community cricket infrastructure across South Australia.
“SACA is committed to investing in high-quality community cricket infrastructure so more South Australians can play cricket,” he said.
“We are extremely proud to have invested over $2 million into our Places to Play program installing cricket pitches on school and council ovals and I’m delighted to be able to celebrate our 100th pitch milestone.
“The relationships that our program has been able to facilitate between clubs and schools have been invaluable and I look forward to the next generation of state and national players coming from some of these schools.”
Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood said the program demonstrates the value of opening school facilities to the wider community, delivering benefits for students, sporting clubs and local families.
“Improving school facilities and opening them up to the community delivers benefits that extend beyond the school day.
“Students have access to a new and modern pitch, which clubs can then use for junior sport after hours.
“This program builds on our commitment to unlock school spaces and help young people lead healthier and more active lifestyles.”
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce said the achievement highlights the important role community sport plays in keeping young people active while strengthening connections between schools and local clubs.
“Reaching this milestone is worthy of raising the bat to celebrate more kids getting active and off screens.
“We’ve seen junior girls and boys play hundreds of matches on these new pitches and form strong partnerships between schools and their local communities.”
For more information, or to apply for Places to Play funding, click here.
