Cricket NSW Opens Applications for Infrastructure Grants

_{Pic: Refurbished Welby Oval cricket nets in Mittagong, with replaced and extended mesh, synthetic pitch cover, extended run up area and infilled area around pitch with synthetic grass}

The ACIF, in partnership with Cricket Australia and state cricket organisations such as Cricket NSW, provides funding for community cricket facility projects, with a focus on growing participation and promoting accessibility and inclusivity. 

A total of 38 cricket facilities across NSW were fortunate to receive $1.313 million investment as part of the last round of ACIF grants in 2023-24. For more information on the grants, go here. 

Working closely with Federal, State and Local Governments, ACIF and Cricket NSW are looking to redevelop a number of projects and upgrade facilities across the state. Of the 38 projects, 27 facilities are based in regional areas, holding true to Cricket NSW’s commitment to upgrade facilities to match those in metro regions across NSW. 

The latest round of funding followed from the 39 funded projects from 2022/23 supported through the ACIF. The funded project types included gender neutral facility upgrades, centre wicket replacements (both synthetic and natural turf), practice net renewal from new installations and repairs to existing and shade and storage structures. All projects were identified as priority projects by the clubs, associations and councils from the respective grounds. 

The completed works complied with Cricket Australia’s latest Community Cricket Facility Guidelines, which detail recommendations, considerations and preferred requirements for the provision and development of new, as well as enhancement of existing, community cricket environments across NSW.    

Cricket NSW is expecting better recognition of required upgrades for its next round of ACIF grants following the release of the completion of the second National Infrastructure Audit (NIA). The NIA was completed to gain a clear understanding of all cricket infrastructure, from Community Cricket all the way through to Premier Cricket, to enable Cricket to build plans to respond to any identified compliance or provision gaps.  

Dean Hunter, State Infrastructure Manager, Cricket NSW, said:   

“CNSW encourages all clubs, associations, schools, councils and cricket facility managers to connect with their local CNSW Cricket Managers to discuss their needs and apply for funding.” 

“It is imperative that we fill our compliance gaps across cricket facilities through resources such as the NIA and funding sources such as the ACIF that are available to us and improve cricket facilities to offer more and more people the chance to play and love cricket in NSW.”