Cricketers bowled over by new facilities

Friday, 11 September 2020

Local cricketers in the Penrith district will be able to hone their craft for this summer of cricket with the opening of two new cricket nets thanks to a collaboration between the NSW Government, Cricket NSW, Nepean District Cricket Association and Penrith City Council.

The new facilities at Dukes Oval, Emu Plains and Shepherd Street Reserve, Colyton replaced old, dated infrastructure which had reached the end of its usable life and was considered no longer fit for purpose. In their place are new 3-lane cricket nets which have added capacity at the grounds for increased usage.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said the upgrade of the cricket nets will provide modern, safe and compliant cricket infrastructure for a range of users throughout Penrith.

“These new cricket nets provide additional sport and recreation infrastructure to deliver healthy and social outcomes for the community,” Cr Fowler said.

“The immediate improvement of the cricket training facilities will not only assist participation growth but will allow the delivery of Cricket Australia junior cricket programs and establish elite cricket pathways in the Penrith region.

“Penrith has developed some great cricketers and by continuing to invest in these facilities we are able to ensure long term development and delivery of junior, senior and community cricket programs.

“It is also important to acknowledge the work of the NSW Government, Cricket NSW, Nepean District Cricket Association and Penrith Junior Cricket Association in working together to deliver these fantastic facilities for our community. These partnerships are integral in providing our communities with the infrastructure for healthy and active lifestyles,” Cr Fowler said.

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the Shepherd Street Reserve project is a great example of how the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund is benefiting grassroots and community cricket across the State.

“Girls and boys are picking up a bat and ball for the first time thanks to the Legacy fund, while our elite players are being supported as well. This is a huge win for cricket in NSW,” Mr Lee said.

“We’ve given more than $4 million to clubs and councils to support 133 projects across NSW during the first two rounds and we’re proud to see the positive impacts of the Legacy Fund.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said cricketers across western Sydney would benefit from the NSW Government’s investment in local cricket infrastructure.

“We’re not just investing in nets and wickets, but the next baggy green, baggy blue, Thunder or Sixers player to come from western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.

“But most of all we’re investing in the benefits our kids get from participating in sport and a healthy, active lifestyle.”
ICC T20 World Cup 2020 acting CEO Michelle Enright is thrilled the new nets at Shepherd Street Reserve will leave a lasting legacy in Penrith.

“The Local Organising Committee is working with our partners, including the NSW Government and Cricket NSW, to ensure that hosting the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia has a lasting positive impact,” Ms Enright said.

We are thrilled that the NSW Government’s funding assisted with the construction of new nets at Shepherd Street Reserve, which will benefit the Penrith cricket community well beyond 2020.”

Cricket in Penrith is continuing to grow with the Penrith Junior Cricket Association comprising of 1,000 members (900 males;100 females) and the Nepean District Cricket Association having similar numbers which is being led by programs such as ‘Girls Cricket’ and ‘Blast’ programs.

Dukes Oval – Park Street, Emu Plains
Funded by Penrith City Council, NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships Grant, Cricket NSW and Nepean District Cricket Association.

Shepherd Street Reserve – Shepherd Street, Colyton
Funded by NSW ICC World T20 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund Grant, Penrith City Council, Cricket NSW and Nepean District Cricket Association.
The NSW ICC T20 World Cup Legacy Fund will deliver up to $6 million dollars to cricket clubs and councils to support the growth in cricket participation in NSW.

Photo caption: (L to R) Pat Yates (President NDCA), Lachlan Steuart (Cricket NSW Cricket Manager Penrith/Blue Mountains), Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM, Adam Coleman (Secretary NDCA) and Lauren Coates (Cricket NSW Community Facilities Coordinator) at the new 3-lane cricket nets at Dukes Oval, Emu Plains.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Friday, 11 September 2020.