WITH the 2020/21 cricket season just around the corner, cricket in the Hunter has received a major boost with the opening of more than $200,000 in new facilities that will help develop the next generation of cricketers in the region.

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The new facilities, at Wallsend, Stockton and Salamander Bay, include cricket nets and a cricket pitch which were funded through the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund, Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, local clubs and councils.

The funding will see the installation of two-laned cricket nets at Lynn Oval, Mitchell St, Stockton which will be used by the Stockton and Northern District Cricket Club as well as Stockton Junior Cricket Club, and two-laned cricket nets and synthetic centre pitch at Korora Oval, Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay which will be used by Nelson Bay Cricket Club.

The NSW ICC T20 World Cup Legacy Fund is delivering up to $6 million to cricket clubs and councils to support the growth in cricket participation in NSW and ensure a lasting legacy from the women’s and men’s T20 World Cups.

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the projects were great examples of how the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund was benefiting grassroots cricket across the State.

“We’ve provided more than $4 million to clubs and councils to support 133 projects across NSW during the first two rounds of the Fund and we’re proud to see the positive impacts on our communities across the State,” Mr Lee said.

“These projects will benefit all levels of cricket in the Hunter, from girls and boys picking up a bat and ball for the first time, to the region’s elite players.”

Member of the NSW Legislative Council Taylor Martin said these facilities would help ensure cricket in the Hunter remains strong.

“Newcastle has a strong local competition feeding young players into representative teams,” Mr Martin said.

“These facilities will guarantee the region’s legacy as a breeding ground for some of the State’s best cricketers and allow local players to continue to dream of wearing the baggy green or baggy blue.”

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Officer Lee Germon said these new facilities will help to foster the love of cricket and increase participation across the broader community.

“We sincerely thank all that were involved in bringing these important projects to fruition,” Germon said.

“These facilities are often not possible without a partnership approach to funding and we’re delighted to have delivered this project with the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Legacy Fund, Cricket Australia via the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, and the cricket community.”

ICC T20 World Cup Acting CEO Michelle Enright is thrilled the new facilities will have a lasting positive impact for cricket in the Hunter.

“The Local Organising Committee is delighted to be working in partnership with the NSW Government and Cricket NSW to ensure that hosting two ICC T20 World Cups in Australia has a lasting positive impact,” Ms Enright said.

“We are thrilled that the Legacy Fund has assisted with the construction of new facilities at Wallsend, Stockton and Salamander Bay, projects that will benefit the Hunter’s cricket community well into the future.”