A proposal has been put forward to create a Cricket Centre of Excellence at the Glenn McGrath Oval in Breen Park, Caringbah. The plan has gathered the support of both Cricket New South Wales and former Australian captain Steve Waugh.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Kent Johns said the suitability of other sites would be assessed as part of a council report, but the Oval was the preferred location as it acts as home to the Shire’s grade cricket programme and is the area’s premier cricket field with both turf and synthetic nets, and was centrally located. He said:
“In addition to the sporting opportunities the Cricket Development Centre will offer, the proposal will provide significant employment opportunities in the building phase as well as the operation of the facility.
“I think there will be a groundswell of support for this project from not only the cricket community but the Shire community as a whole.”
If the project were to go ahead, printing services could be used to keep the local community up to date with progress, through leaflet drops and information boards at the ground.
Before the scheme can proceed, Cricket New South Wales will need to submit a Development Application and get the appropriate planning permissions.