Young cricketers try out the indoor nets in the new training centre at Phillip. Photo: Supplied.
The new state-of-the-art cricket training centre at Phillip which opened this week will drive the game forward in the ACT and is a boon to the Woden community, which has been crying out for more sporting facilities in the area.
The centre is the first stage of the $6.5 million Phillip Oval redevelopment that will see it become the second tier oval for the Australian Football League and cricket behind Manuka Oval.
With indoor and outdoor areas, as well as administrative facilities, the centre will support Cricket ACT in its delivery of community and high-performance programs for female and male players all year round.
As well as being the new home for Cricket ACT’s offices, the facilities will be a training hub for teams from the ACT, Southern, and Western New South Wales.
It will also support pathway programs and be an alternative training and playing location to Manuka Oval.
New features include outdoor cricket nets with turf wickets and a brightly lit indoor centre with four indoor synthetic wickets and dividing nets so training can be conducted rain or shine, night or day.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry and Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland talk to young players at the new training centre on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry and Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland attended the opening on Tuesday.
“This new indoor centre and outdoor wicket area will provide players with wonderful training facilities to be used all year round by local teams as well as visiting state, national and touring sides,” Ms Berry said.
“I would like to congratulate the architects, Clarke Keller and ABA Construction Managers for building such an impressive facility and trust it will help to give players an edge to their game.”
Work on the Phillip redevelopment began in February with the cricket facilities for the first section opened. Four floodlight poles will come on line in December, and next year an extension of the existing pavilion will open, providing AFL NSW/ACT with new offices and facilities. The playing surface at Phillip Oval has also been upgraded.
The ACT Government committed $4.6 million to the project with AFL NSW/ACT, Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW and Cricket ACT together contributing $1.9 million.
Woden Valley Community Council tweeted: “This looks like a great facility, this type of investment in Woden is fantastic for our community. Thank you Cricket ACT and ACT Government.”
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