Redland City Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with major cricket governing bodies and local clubs to further develop cricket infrastructure in the region.
Mayor Karen Williams and Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson met with representatives of Redlands Cricket Club, Redlands Sporting Club and Cricket Australia at the EGW Wood sporting complex at Wellington Point to finalise the MOU this week.
The MOU covers the Redlands Cricket Inc Masterplan for the complex, which includes field lighting of Peter Burge Oval, other lighting upgrades, change room extensions, an indoor turf training facility, new fence paneling and a grandstand.
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Geoff Teys, the Queensland-based Cricket Australia General Manager of Government Relations, Infrastructure and Community Cricket, said the MOU was timely considering the strong growth of cricket in the area.
“Participation numbers in entry-level cricket programs such as the Woolworths Blast program, and girls cricket in particular, have been very strong in the Redlands and we are delighted we can work together with Council to foster this growth and provide suitable infrastructure for the community,” he said.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the partnership between Council, Redlands Cricket Club, Queensland Cricket, Cricket Australia and Redlands Sporting Club would provide a raft of benefits for players at all levels.
“Council has been working closely with key stakeholders to ensure our grounds remain up to standard for Premier Grade club cricket matches and Redlands Coast is well placed to host elite-level cricket events while the Gabba is being redeveloped for Brisbane 2032,” Cr Williams said.
“This MOU will help Redlands Cricket Club advocate for infrastructure improvements ranging from change room extensions to an indoor training facility and lighting upgrades, all of which will benefit local players.
“The recent announcement of cricket as an Olympic sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Games has served as a catalyst for investment in enabling infrastructure along the south-east corridor and on Redlands Coast, with Queensland Cricket currently looking at the hierarchy of facilities to host elite level cricket matches and events with the possibility of displacement from other elite cricket venues.
“Redlands Coast has an opportunity through this MOU to attract matches during the displacement period and potentially during Brisbane 2032.
“Council is delighted to be working alongside major cricket entities to ensure our national sport continues to receive the funding it deserves on Redlands Coast, particularly as it grows in popularity among our junior players.”
Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the MOU would provide opportunities for Redlands Coast junior players to follow in the footsteps of local heroes like Jimmy Peirson and Jackson Sinfield who were present at the MOU signing.
“Jimmy and Jackson have come through the ranks at Redlands Tigers and are now forging a career at the professional level with Queensland,” Cr Boglary said.
“We are fortunate to be able to leverage opportunities built on the outstanding partnerships and commitments of past and present committees of Redlands Cricket.
“The infrastructure improvements covered in the MOU will benefit both grassroots and professional cricketers, while also allowing Redlands Coast to host more high-profile matches.
“We are proud to have a club like Redlands Tigers in the Wellington Point community and are grateful for the opportunities it provides locals to get involved in playing and coaching.”
