15.08.2008
New Home for Women's Cricket
The State Government and the South Australian Cricket Association today announced a long-term deal to secure a home for women’s cricket in South Australia.

Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright has approved a 21-year lease of the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields at St Mary’s to SACA.

Mr Wright and SACA Chief Executive Mike Deare made the announcement at the Fields this morning.

Mr Wright says the agreement is an exciting partnership between the State Government and SACA, which will cater for one of Australia’s fastest growing sports while also looking after other grassroots users of the facility.

“SACA will be investing financially in the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields to ensure women’s cricket and other sports will continue to grow at the site,” Mr Wright says.

“Approving this lease reaffirms the Government’s commitment to women’s sport.

“The State Government has provided approximately $7 million in funding to women’s sport through its grants programs since 2002. We also run development programs such as the Wendy Ey Memorial Coaching Scholarships for Women.

“This lease provides a major boost not only to women’s cricket, but also to other sporting groups which use the Fields.

“SACA is an organisation which is well positioned to support both women’s sport and current users of the Fields including the Southern Districts Tennis Association and Sturt Lacrosse Club,” Mr Wright says.

SACA Chief Executive Mike Deare says SACA has made a million-dollar financial commitment to maintain and upgrade the playing surfaces, facilities and war memorial.

“SACA is delighted to secure a permanent home for women’s cricket at the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields, which will be placed under the care of Adelaide Oval’s internationally recognised grounds team,” Mr Deare says.

“In the past three years, women’s cricket competition in South Australia has expanded from 13 to 33 teams with another five women’s and six school teams registered to play in season 2008-09.

“Over the fifty year history of the Fields they have been an important venue for women’s cricket.
“Players of all ages – from Australian champions like Karen Rolton and Shelly Nitschke to some of the state’s youngest players – rely on these facilities to continue their involvement in the game and the cricket community.

“In season 2006-07 the Fields were used on 19 weekends of the cricketing summer and hosted 45 per cent of all programmed matches,” Mr Deare says.

Bruce Parker from the SA Women's Memorial Playing Fields Trust Incorporated said the Trust is pleased SACA is taking on the lease.

“The Trust looks forward to working with SACA to enhance the Fields, which have an important history,” Mr Parker says.

The Women’s Memorial Playing Fields were created in 1953 to address the lack of playing areas for sporting women.

The grounds as a whole were dedicated to the South Australian service women who served in World Wars I and II. Each year in February a memorial service is held to honour the memory of the Australian nurses killed in the Bangka Straits.

The Fields include three ovals, tennis courts and clubrooms, and a pavilion.

Pictured at the announcement are L-R: Office for Recreation and Sport Executive Director Paul Anderson, SACA Chief Executive Mike Deare, SACA curator Les Burdett, Scorpions players Stephanie Morrison and Fiona McDonald, Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright, and Women's Memorial Playing Fields Trust Chairman Bruce Parker.