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AWRA backs redevelopment of Albert Park’s Junction Oval

AWRA backs redevelopment of Albert Park’s Junction Oval
March 4, 2014

The Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) is backing the efforts of Cricket Victoria and the St Kilda Cricket Club to secure funding for the redevelopment of the Junction Oval cricket ground.

Plans for a $44 million upgrade of the heritage-listed ground at the south end of Melbourne's Albert Park, previously backed by a $10 million commitment from the former Federal Labor Government, are currently in doubt.

With neither the current Coalition Federal Government or the Victorian Government having committed to the project, Cricket Victoria has advised the St Kilda Club that it cannot continue its lease of the home of one of Victoria's oldest cricket clubs beyond the end of the season without new funding.

The upgrade was set to have given Victoria another elite-level cricket oval, becoming the first year-round elite-level cricket training and playing base in Victoria. The redevelopment would also provide an alternative venue for Sheffield Shield matches and would free up the MCG for AFL matches in early March.

AWRA are backing the Junction Oval development plans, with AWRA Secretary Janice Crosswhite stating "the upgrade to cricket facilities at the Junction Oval would be a huge boost for women's cricket here in Australia, not only for elite level athletes, but also for the sport at the grass roots level in Victoria.

"Improving the quality and access to facilities in St Kilda will enhance the training opportunities and development of Australia's top tier female cricketers, while also helping to promote the sport to the Southern Stars of the future."

National Cricket Centre Senior Manager Belinda Clark added "the upgraded facility, if successful, will be utilised by National women's teams and will be particularly useful for the Southern Stars (who are preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh)."

According to Clark, "the ground will also be used as a summer training base for years to come, particularly for both senior and talented under age athletes based in Victoria".

Five of the current Southern Stars Squad hail from Victoria, including acting Captain, Meg Lanning.

Once upgraded to international standards, Junction Oval will also be used as a key venue for domestic cricket as well as serve as a venue for international level women's cricket in Australia.

While the redevelopment is backed by sporting administrators, members of the community fear that another elite facility in the South Melbourne/Albert Park area would reduce public access to sports fields. 

8th October 2012 - GEMBA TO COMPLETE MOORABBIN OVAL FOOTBALL HUB FEASIBILITY STUDY

16th July 2012 - COMMUNITY CRICKET LEADERS JOIN CRICKET AUSTRALIA AND CRICKET VICTORIA AT THE MCG

17th November 2010 - $20 MILLION UPGRADE FOR MELBOURNE’S JUNCTION OVAL


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