WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY 2019-2028 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) wish to acknowledge the significant contribution made by a number of stakeholders in the development of the Western Australian Cricket Infrastructure Strategy (WACIS). The WACA acknowledges the support provided by the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in co-funding this project and its representation on the Project Control Group (PCG). Thanks also go to Cricket Australia for the funding support and contribution of resourcing to the PCG. Local Government are a key stakeholder in the WACIS as the provider of the majority of cricket facilities. The contribution of Local Government to surveys and consultation sessions and through providing representation to the PCG has been valuable in the development of the WACIS. Finally, the WACA would like to thank the local cricket community, including associations, clubs, individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to this project. Western Australian Draft Cricket Infrastructure Strategy I 2019 Page 2 CONTENTS WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY 1. Welcome 4 The WACIS provides the Western Australian cricket community and its stakeholders with a detailed assessment and analysis of the state’s cricket facility landscape across metropolitan and country Western 2. Executive Summary 5 Australia. 3. Introduction and Background 8 The WACIS identifies future venue planning and development priorities for the next ten years, and 4. Impacts on cricket in WA 11 provides strategic directions and recommendations for each of the WACA’s fourteen cricket regions. 5. State of Play 15 Detailed insights into the current and future needs of cricket stakeholders were provide through a series of consultation session with cricket clubs, associations and local governments. A summary of consultation 6. Australian Cricket Facility Hierarchy 29 findings and the projected demand for cricket infrastructure is included in this report. Further detail is 7. Infrastructure priorities by Region 35 provided in the State of Play Report and analysis reports from surveys undertaken with cricket associations, local government and premier cricket clubs. 8. Premier Cricket 65 9. Indoor Cricket 69 10. Delivering the Strategy 71 11. Appendices 75 Western Australian Draft Cricket Infrastructure Strategy I 2019 Page 3 1. WELCOME A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO It gives me great pleasure to release and introduce the Western Australian Cricket Infrastructure Strategy (WACIS) 2019-2028. It is an exciting time for cricket in the State. With the launch of the WACA Ground Improvement Project and ongoing work with Murdoch University for the development of high quality training and playing facilities, the WACIS will provide the strategic platform for the future direction of community cricket facility planning, provision and development across the State for the next 10 years. The WACIS is closely aligned to the Western Australian Cricket Strategy 2017-2022 and is a key document in delivering on the WACA’s objective to be No 1 for participation growth and volunteer engagement. Along with the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund and Grassroots Cricket Fund, the WACIS will aid the WACA working with clubs, schools, associations, local and state governments to invest in appropriate infrastructure to support growth in cricket. I would like to acknowledge the support of Cricket Australia and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in contributing to the development of the WACIS. Thanks to InsideEdge – Sport and Leisure Planning for their contribution in bringing the WACIS together. I look forward to the implementation of the WACIS and the outcomes it will provide for cricket in Western Australia. CHRISTINA MATTHEWS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Western Australian Draft Cricket Infrastructure Strategy I 2019 Page 4 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Western Australian Infrastructure Strategy (WACIS) provides a clear direction for • The focus on junior and female sport and developing spaces that are the future planning, provision and development of community cricket facilities. The welcoming, accessible and inclusive; and WACA has led the development of this Strategy which builds on the vision and framework provided by Cricket Australia (CA). • WA’s unique climatic conditions, no daylight savings and the geography of country regions. Cricket is Western Australia’s number one summer sport with over 200,000 participants, including 68,789 female participants and over 20,000 junior and entry To address these issues the WACIS has been developed to ensure the right decisions level players. However, its continued popularity is not without its challenges. One of are made about investing in the right projects, in the right places, at the right time. Four these challenges is to ensure facilities are meeting the needs of users and are high-level infrastructure pillars and their strategic objectives will underpin cricket responding to the way cricket and community sport is being consumed. infrastructure planning and investment decisions for the sport over the next 10 years. The four pillars are: With more players and a range of different cricket formats recently being introduced, the demand on cricket facilities and infrastructure is greater than ever. There is a • Build the capacity of existing facilities; need to work more closely with government partners and co-tenants to ensure • Expand the facility footprint to meet changing needs and population growth; community cricket facilities are functional, sustainable and viable. Most importantly, facilities need to be operating at capacity and cater for a range of different user • Deliver flexible and inclusive facilities; and groups. • Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders to share the benefits of better To ensure the needs of the Western Australian cricket community are met in the short, facilities. medium and long-term, a range of strategic priorities have been recommended for These pillars have ultimately driven the development of strategic priorities for each of the implementation over the next 10 years. Strategic priorities have been informed WACA’s 14 Cricket Regions. Regional summaries have been developed for each of the through: seven metropolitan and seven regional Cricket regions to provide unique insights into the • Assessment and analysis of facilities held in the National Facility Audit facility and participation needs of each region, and to outline regional level priorities database; which have been influenced by the needs of local stakeholder groups. • Analysis of WACA cricket participation, and market projections; The WACIS considers the needs and strategic objectives of WA Premier Cricket Clubs. Key facility priorities for each of the 16 Premier Clubs have been identified via an online • Stakeholder consultation and facility partner / investor engagement; and survey and are represented separately from the 14 cricket regions. • Identification of the greatest challenges, issues, needs and opportunities The WACIS will guide the future investment of current and potential funding partners, with respect to cricket infrastructure. including federal, state and local governments by clearly outlining the strategic priorities The Strategy has also considered several broader sport and recreation trends, for each of the WACA’s cricket regions. consumer needs, community demand indicators, local climatic conditions and The WACA, Cricket Australia, the Players and the Australian Cricketers’ Association are government policy. These include: investing more in grassroots cricket infrastructure than ever before. In order to deliver the • Changes in the way cricket is structured and competitions and programs are priorities of this strategy, Cricket will continue to work with key stakeholders and all levels offered to players, teams and clubs; of government to ensure that investment into cricket infrastructure is directed into the projects that have the most significant impact on the cricket community. • Ongoing support and investment from federal, state and local government, and other funding partners; Western Australian Draft Cricket Infrastructure Strategy I 2019 Page 5 STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK The diagram below outlines the strategic infrastructure framework for the future provision of cricket facilities throughout Western Australia to 2028. Four key infrastructure pillars and supporting strategic objectives are proposed to guide the future direction of cricket facilities in Western Australia. These are further supported by recommendations and prioritised actions that will guide the implementation of the Infrastructure Strategy. ► AUSTRALIAN CRICKET STRATEGY ► WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET STRATEGY ► WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY ►INFRASTRUCTURE PILLARS FLEXIBLE AND INCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND SHARED 1 FACILITY CAPACITY 2 EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT 3 4 FACILITIES INVESTMENT ► STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Activate existing cricket facilities by Plan and develop new facilities that Create flexible and inclusive cricket Secure stakeholder support and building venue functionality, capacity respond to the changing needs of environments that promote attract investment in future cricket and sustainability cricket and a growing participant participant diversity and shared facility planning and development base facility use ► KEY DRIVERS ➢ Increasing