Saturday, 3 March, 2018 NEW HOME FOR VICTORIAN OPENS AT

Victorian cricket finally has a dedicated home they can be proud of, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s redevelopment of St Kilda’s iconic Junction Oval.

Premier Daniel Andrews, Member for Albert Park Martin Foley and representatives from and Cricket officially opened the new venue today, ahead of the first Sheffield Shield game to be played at the revamped ground between Victoria and .

The Victorian Cricket and Community Centre features new headquarters for , high performance facilities, and new medical and rehabilitation areas for our elite cricket teams.

The ground and complex can be used for cricket all-year round, meaning cricket and football will never again clash at the MCG.

Junction Oval will host Premier Cricket Club, St Kilda, Sheffield Shield matches for the champion Bushrangers, and matches for our Victorian women’s team the VicSpirit.

The Centre will be a cricket hub for the community with education facilities for visiting schools, while also recognising the importance and history of indigenous cricket to the site.

The upgrade has also given Junction Oval the power to lure and host international fixtures. It’s already locked in group games for the women’s ICC World T20, when the tournament comes to Australia for the first time in 2020.

The Labor Government proudly delivered $25 million towards the $40 million Victorian Cricket and Community Centre at Junction Oval, with Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria pitching in the rest.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We promised to build a new home for Victorian cricket at Junction Oval and we’ve delivered. We’re getting things done.”

“The new ground and community centre will provide world class facilities for our elite teams, right through to our grassroots clubs.”

Quote attributable to Member for Albert Park Martin Foley

“Cricket’s new home at Junction Oval will be a win for community organisations right across the state – especially in the local community. The new centre will focus on engaging kids and diverse communities, and making sure that Australia’s favourite game is a game for everyone.”

Quote attributable to Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Officer

“Our new venue is for everyone. It will service our elite players, our fans and the community at-large. We are dedicated to being a sport for all and this new building will help us deliver on that goal.”

Quote attributable to Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland

“This centre is so much more than a cricket ground. It is a state-of-the-art cricket facility without peer. We can only wish that every state and territory had a facility like this.”

Media contact: Kosta Pandos 0409 795 849 | [email protected]