Bingara District Cricket Association President Justin Hellmuth, left, cricket co-ordination John Sullivan, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Gwydir Shire Council General Manager pictured last Friday at the soon-to-be-replaced Gwydir Oval cricket nets in Bingara.
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
BINGARA’S dated and run-down Gwydir Oval cricket practice nets will shortly undergo a major overhaul and local cricketers provided with brand new facilities thanks to a massive six-way funding windfall.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall was in Bingara last Friday to announce $20,000 in State Government funding to help construct new nets in Bingara and replace synthetic cricket pitches in Warialda and Warialda Rail.
Mr Marshall said this funded would be matched with contributions from Gwydir Shire Council ($10,000), Cricket NSW ($12,000) and the Bingara District Cricket Association.
“The Bingara nets are in a pretty ordinary condition and becoming unsafe for cricketers,” he said.
“Likewise, the ageing synthetic turf at Warialda and Warialda Rail is in need of replacement.
“With more than 150 players in the district now, cricket is taking off again and our local cricketers need appropriate and safe facilities to play and train.”
Mr Marshall said the new nets would help train local and representative players, as well as keep visiting teams in form. He said that with the upgrades, Bingara and Warialda could look forward again to being a cricketing hub in the New England North West region.
It’s been a big 12 months for the cricket association, having recently installed a multi-sport scoreboard at Gwydir Oval, and the representative side making it through to the finals, an impressive feat for the teams fourth season after a 20-year hiatus.
Bingara District Cricket Association President Justin Hellmuth said the current facilities are currently tough to play on.
“The pitch has been better – there’s a big burnt patch in the middle and it’s got a big dip – so this will make it easier for our rep games and teams,” Mr Hellmuth said.
Mr Hellmuth says the Gwydir Oval serves as a meeting point for many teams from around the region.
“Our representative team will be able to practise in a central location – they come from Barraba, Warialda, Upper Horton and Gravesend. In addition, the local teams will finally have a proper place to practice – at the moment it’s just concrete, and balls keep getting torn up.”