City of Casey has welcomed the news that Casey Stadium has secured the 2019 Indoor Cricket National Championships, as Stage Two of the major redevelopment of the facility nears completion.
Australia’s largest national indoor cricket tournament, more than 1,000 players and officials will take part from 29 June to 13 July 2019 with national titles up for grabs in four open divisions and five junior divisions, as well as the Lord’s Taverners Shield for players with an intellectual disability.
Council completed and opened the $18m first stage of the redevelopment at Casey Stadium in 2017, which significantly expanded and improved the netball and basketball facilities.
Stage Two of the project is underway and is expected to be completed in early 2019 ahead of the National Championships. The stage two expansion will deliver five indoor cricket courts including a stand-alone show court and cricket training lanes, as well as a dedicated gymnastics hall and a further five redeveloped netball/basketball courts.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said Council looked forward to opening the project in early 2019.
“The City of Casey, along with our Casey Stadium partners YMCA, are delighted to be able to welcome cricketers from across Australia to our new, purpose-built indoor cricket facility,” said Cr Stapledon.
“Already one of Victoria’s most prominent and state-of-the-art indoor sport facilities, the expansion of Casey Stadium will make the centre one of the largest in Victoria.
“Once Stage Two is complete, Casey Stadium will become just the second indoor cricket facility capable of hosting national competitions in Victoria, but most importantly it will provide cricket participation opportunities year round for the Casey community.
“Council is committed to providing premier facilities for our local community to participate in active recreation and are excited by the opportunities this facility will deliver for our residents to get involved in indoor cricket, gymnastics, accessible programs and watch national sports stars in action close to home.”
Cricket Australia Interim Executive General Manager of Community Cricket, Kieran McMillan said more than 180,000 people play indoor cricket across the country, with the fast, fun and social format providing opportunities to play all year round.
“The National Championships showcase the best of those players, including several state and BBL/WBBL representatives, highlighting the importance the format is to players cricketing journey,” he said.
“Cricket Australia is proud to partner with the City of Casey to host next year’s championships estimated to generate a $2.5m direct economic impact for the Casey region.”
Cricket Victoria General Manager of Community Cricket, Rohan O’Neill said the National Championships will be extra special in 2019 being hosted in a new, world-class facility.
“As well as an indoor cricket venue, the facility will double as a training facility for some of Victoria’s best cricketers and a dedicated community facility to inspire and grow the game in Melbourne’s south-east,” he said.
YMCA Victoria Area Manager Barry Harrison said the YMCA is thrilled to be partnering with the City of Casey and Cricket Australia to deliver a national event in Casey.
“The Casey Stadium redevelopment project sees the new expanded facility showcased to an Australia wide audience,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming all cricketers at Casey Stadium and ensuring they have a great experience in our centre and in Casey.”
