During Women’s & Girls Cricket Week, the South Australian Cricket Association, along with Ms Rhiannon Pearce, Assistant Minister for Junior Sports Participation, celebrated the installation of SACA’s 50th cricket pitch under their Places to Play program, at Ardtornish Primary School, St Agnes.
Under the program, SACA funds the installation of a new cricket pitch on a school or council oval under the proviso that a local cricket club can use the pitch for junior cricket after school hours.
Additionally, the new pitches, accessible to clubs, have provided cricket clubs with opportunities to expand their junior programs, as well as facilitate valuable connections and relationships between clubs and schools.
SACA CEO Charlie Hodgson says the South Australian Cricket Association is committed to investing in high-quality community cricket infrastructure, to offer as many South Australians as possible the opportunity to play cricket.
“We are extremely proud to have already invested over $1 million of our $2 million for the Places to Play program,” he said.
“I’m delighted to be able to celebrate our 50th pitch milestone.
“The relationships our program has been able to facilitate between clubs and schools has been invaluable, and I look forward to the next generation of state and national players coming from some of these schools.”
Ms Pearce reiterated Hodgson’s sentiments by saying she welcomes SACA’s 50th cricket pitch under this program, at Ardtornish Primary School.
“I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in the local community,” Ms Pearce said.
“We want to see more young South Australians enjoying the physical, mental and social benefits that come from being involved in sport.
“We know it can be tough for working families to commute their children to and from sporting commitments, and through initiatives like SACA's Places to Play program, the game of cricket is becoming more accessible for kids in our community.”
To celebrate the day, the entire school converged on the school oval along with SACA representatives, the Assistant Minister, local State Member Olivia Savvas MP, South Australian cricketers and mascots for speeches, photographs and a ribbon cutting, followed by cricket clinics for the students.
For more information, or to apply for Places to Play funding, please click here.