THE Hornsby Shire Council has announced that two local cricket initiatives designed to promote diversity in cricket have been recognised at the Cricket NSW Community Cricket Awards.
The Mark Taylor Oval indoor cricket centre in Waitara was named Indoor Cricket Facility of the Year, while the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai & Hills District Cricket Association was also recognised in the Women and Girls Initiative category for its Girls’ Cricket Competition.
The Mark Taylor Oval indoor cricket centre is the first of its kind in the region and is used by men's and women’s cricket teams for all-weather training and specialist coaching. It also supports the use of all abilities programs, providing opportunities for people with disability to participate in sports.
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai & Hills District Girls’ Cricket Competition provides opportunities for girls to play in fun, girls-only matches on Friday evenings or Saturdays across the region, increasing participation and developing a love of the sport in girls.
Hornsby Shire Mayor The Hon Philip Ruddock AO said, “Hornsby Shire Council recognises the importance of community sport to its residents, contributing to their physical and mental well-being. We are passionate about providing opportunities for all members of the community to participate, including women and people with disabilities, and are upgrading facilities across the Shire to make this possible.”
Jeremy Hook, President of the Northern District Cricket Club, expressed his gratitude for the support they received throughout the project and talked about the impact of the indoor cricket centre. He said, “Since opening its doors last year, we have welcomed hundreds of players of all ages and abilities to the Indoor Cricket Centre. From high-level women’s cricket to Blowfly Cricket for people with disability, it has certainly made a substantial impact.”
Amanda Fraser, Girls Director of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai & Hills District Association, said, “We are proud to provide a platform that encourages participation and ensures girls of any talent level feel welcomed and valued. This approach is instrumental in fostering a love for the game from a young age, allowing girls to have fun, make new friends, and develop their cricket skills in a supportive setting, whatever their cricketing aspirations are.”
The Mark Taylor Oval project is not complete yet, and stage three focuses on upgrading off-field supporting infrastructure to accommodate the needs of women, girls, and people with disabilities by improving the pavilion's changerooms, access, and amenities. The Mark Taylor Oval Indoor Cricket Centre and Girls’ Cricket Competition have now been nominated for a Cricket Australia Community Cricket Award, which will be announced in May.
