The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hon. Mick Murray MLA, has today announced the grant from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) demonstrating that they are serious about helping to create an inclusive environment for everyone who plays cricket.
Currently, the WACA Ground only has one set of changerooms, the new ones will make hosting double headers, community cricket and other sporting events much easier and will ensure there are all gender changerooms within the Ground.
The installation of two new, all-gender changerooms under the Lillee Marsh Stand will be ready to use during the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup matches that will be hosted at the WACA Ground in February 2020.
The changerooms will remain as a lasting legacy of the Women’s T20 World Cup that will be able to be used by pathway, community and school cricket teams and other sports into the future.
WACA CEO Christina Matthews said;
“The vision for the WACA Ground is to be the vehicle for positive community outcomes,” she said.
“The installation of these new all-gender changerooms will not only make it a more inclusive venue to play cricket in, but it will also allow for more access to community clubs and other sporting organisations.”
Minister Murray said;
“Women’s cricket has never been in better shape in Western Australia, and we need to make sure that is supported with decent facilities,” he said.
“These new facilities will not only help us put on a great World Cup – they will continue to support the women’s game at community, State and international level for many years to come.”
The announcement comes on the day of the WACA’s All Girls Can Carnival which celebrates the success and growth of girls and women who play cricket.
The number of female participants in WA has increased 320% over the past three years and the 2019-20 cricket season presents itself as another exciting step for female cricket with the inception of a standalone rebel Women’s Big Bash League.