Victorian cricket to benefit from new stadia and community funding

The new funding will deliver a range of upgrades to Etihad Stadium – home to the Melbourne Renegades – and maintains the State Government’s commitment to gender equality via improved change facilities and amenities for all female competitors at the stadium, including the Melbourne Renegades’ WBBL side.

It will also allow planning to progress with a major redevelopment of the MCG to ensure it remains the best stadium in the country and home to the Melbourne Stars and the Boxing Day Test.

At the grassroots level, the budget will support increased demand for cricket programs and facilities through an opportunity for clubs and associations to access the following programs:

• An additional $60 million provided to the Community Sporting Infrastructure Fund to support upgrading existing and building new community facilities across the state.
• $17.7 million for the Significant Sporting Events Program
• A further $15 million for the ground-breaking Female Friendly Facilities Fund to provide improved sporting grounds and infrastructure at sports clubs around the state to cater for female sport.
• $5 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loan (CSIL) Scheme to upgrade or build much needed sport and recreation facilities, meeting increased demand and ensuring more Victorians can participate.

Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton said today’s announcements will benefit Victorian cricket fans and participants in a range of ways.

“The investment in our biggest venues is certainly welcome and will ultimately improve the experience of cricket fans when they visit. It’s also important to highlight the opportunities for the local grassroots community to apply for additional funding that has been made available.”

“We want our fans to enjoy an outstanding experience at matches while ensuring our communities continue to be supported in building their facilities to support the number of current and future cricketers across the state,” Ingleton said.

Cricket Victoria recently moved into its new headquarters at the CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval – a $40 million partnership between the Victorian Government, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria.