Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground Launched

Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren, Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide and Cricket Australia Executive General Manager for Game Development, Andrew Ingleton, today launched the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground. The program will create renewed opportunities for all Victorians to pick up a bat or ball.

The opportunity will allow clubs and councils to complete major upgrades to infrastructure to keep pace with the modern game and deliver targeted programs aimed at ensuring cricket participation in Victoria is higher than any other state.

Minister for Sport, John Eren said “whether it’s supporting pavilion upgrades, providing new helmets or rolling out new programs to boost participation, we’re doing our bit to uncover the next Peter Siddle, Rob Quiney and Meg Lanning.”

“Our status as the sporting capital doesn’t happen by chance. We are committed to building the best opportunities for Victorians – from the grassroots to the Test cricket arena.”

A total of $12.4 million has been allocated to the partnership with the Victorian Government committing $10 million, Cricket Victoria $1.2 million and Cricket Australia $1.2 million. A large proportion of this funding will be available to clubs and councils to complete major facilities upgrades in collaboration with their local council.

In addition, grants of up to $5000 are available to assist clubs with minor facility upgrades, for equipment or for programs that build the base of players, coaches, umpires and volunteers. A Sports Vouchers Program will work with local councils in disadvantaged areas, and provide subsidised registrations so that everyone can get involved.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide praised the Government for their contribution to local clubs.

“This is a really exciting time for cricket in Victoria and we applaud the Victorian Government for this unprecedented funding contribution to grassroots,” Dodemaide said.

“$10 million has been allocated in the overall fund for cricket facilities, and we are encouraging clubs to work with their councils to discuss any potential facility development projects.”

“Cricket participation in Victoria is thriving. We are 13% up on MILO in2CRICKET participants as compared with this time last year and 73% up on MILO T20Blast registrations.

“Part of our Strategic Plan is to also have females make up 30% of our participant base by 2017 and earlier this year the Victorian Government announced a further $10 million allocation for female-friendly changerooms across sport in the state, which will encourage local clubs to enhance their female cricket programs.

“Cricket is by far the biggest participation sport in Victoria with 324,848 participants and the Government is further helping us realise our vision of being Victoria’s favourite sport and a sport for all Victorians.”

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager – Game Development, Andrew Ingleton said “this fund, together with the Community Sport Infrastructure Fund, will help deliver cricket infrastructure needs for the future.”

“A dedicated fund of this size, for cricket facilities and programs, is a best practice model and an example for other state governments around the country to follow,” Mr Ingleton continued.

“We commend the Victorian Government for its commitment to this program, and Cricket Australia is delighted to contribute $1.2 million towards it.”

In addition to creating better cricket facilities around the state, the investment will also boost Cricket Victoria’s Harmony in Cricket initiative, which celebrates the message that cricket is for everyone – no matter their age, gender, religion or cultural background.