Ballarat scores funding for regional cricket hub at Eastern Oval

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide today joined Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight MP, Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard MP and Cr Grant Tillett of Ballarat City Council, to announce funding that will establish Eastern Oval as a regional hub for cricket in Ballarat and surrounds.

The project includes the upgrade of oval lighting to Cricket Australia’s class two standard (300 lux to outfield and 500 lux to centre wicket), development of new turf wicket training facilities and redevelopment of the existing change facilities to make them female friendly.

The development provides greater opportunities for Eastern Oval to host representative cricket events that will deliver economic benefits for the region and inspire participation at junior levels. The investment into Eastern Oval also provides additional capacity for the local cricket association to cater for their cricket pathway programs and initiatives.

Dodemaide said that Eastern Oval’s transformation will further empower local cricketers and support the continued growth in participation by women.

“Cricket’s strong partnership with the Victorian Government and Ballarat City Council will transform Eastern Oval into the state’s first regional cricket hub under the Community Cricket Program,” Dodemaide said.

“It will provide local cricketers with the appropriate level of facilities to offer pathways from junior levels to high performance and support the continued growth in participation by girls and women across the region.”

Victorian Minister for Sport the Hon John Eren MP said that the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground continues to provide meaningful opportunities for local communities.

“The Eastern Oval Project is another example of how the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground is providing a great opportunity for local communities to kick-start projects that can make a real difference to people’s lives,” Minister Eren said.

The Ballarat community is the latest to benefit from the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground that is providing $12.4 million to plan, build new or improve existing sport and recreation facilities.