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Community facilities Sport and Recreation | February 20, 2018

Kealy – Western Country Regional Cricket Hub

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has congratulated the Hamilton community on yesterday’s announcement of $500,000 towards making the Western Country Regional Cricket Hub a reality.

Emma Kealy MP supported local lobbying efforts by calling on the Andrews Labor Government to provide funding for a Western Country Regional Cricket Hub to be located at Monivae College and hosted a site visit last year with the Shadow Minister for Sport, Tim McCurdy MP.

“I am proud to have worked closely with Mark McGinnity and the team at Monivae College, past and current CEOs and Councillors of the Southern Grampians Shire Council, Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia, and the local cricketing community to make this exciting project a reality,” Ms Kealy said.

“Monivae College has excellent facilities that can be used to assist with this development and will support the Western Country Regional Cricket Hub into the future,” she said.

The $1.78 million Wimmera Country Regional Cricket Hub proposes one of the most unique sport, education and community facilities seen in Victoria. The Hub will create a new indoor and outdoor cricket facility for the Western Waves region for all ages, abilities and gender with an inclusive culture and unique partnerships.

The Hub will include office space for Cricket Victoria representatives, sport science technology and fully furbished training areas. New male, female and umpire change rooms, public toilets and shelter for spectator seating will be built and the oval renovated with new turf, irrigation, training nets and hard wicket.

“The future of cricket is of significant importance to our region, not only for our schools and cricket locally but also for the growth and benefit of our rural communities,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Hamilton community along with Monivae College, Cricket Victoria, Western Waves Region, Hamilton and District Cricket Association, Hamilton Junior Cricket Association and Hamilton Women’s Cricket Association have been lobbying for a cricket hub for many years and I congratulate the many local efforts that have contributed towards gaining this vital funding.

“I am proud to be a part of the strong community support this project has received and to see these local efforts rewarded by yesterday’s funding announcement,” she said.