It’s been a good summer for cricket in Logan with the installation of synthetic pitches at Kimberley Park State and at Oliver Sports Complex in Eagleby.
The club set to benefit is Springwood Suns, which received $15 000 in funding from Queensland Cricket for the project.
Club spokesperson Marion Young says that the new wickets will provide the opportunity for young kids at Kimberley Park State School to test their batting and bowling skills.
“We went up to the school, and the principal up there, James Forrest loves cricket, and was very keen to get girls cricket going up there.
“He wanted to make the school a hub on the Friday night with markets, and people coming into the school grounds”
“We submitted a grant application with the Federal Government then, but we missed out.”
She says it was at this point that Queensland Cricket heard about their situation.
“Liam Smith, the local QC officer for Logan said “If you’re still trying to get the wicket done, we’ll help you.”
“Queensland Cricket was very happy that we can get a wicket into the school, because a lot of schools are getting rid of their old pithces.
“We have a lot of the Kimberley Park pupils playing at the club, and they’re excited to play cricket at lunch.
Besides the Kimberley Park project, the club was also able to use their funding on installing a new Gabba-grass wicket at the Oliver Sports Complex in Eagleby..
“At Eagleby we’re lucky we already have a concrete slab there, and we’ve put some synthetic over it.
“The outfield is very overgrown, and we’ll still need to mow it
“We also have funding for shade covers, and fencing to put around the ground.”
The pitch complements the existing turf wickets, and will be used for Level 1 matches involving participants aged between 7 and 10.
Cr Mindy Russell said the pirch would provide another sporting outlet for kids at Kimberley Park State School.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Logan kids get into the sport. It’s really exciting to know that there’ll be some who might not have given it a go otherwise. congrats to the schools, the club and cricket qld for getting together to make it happen”.
