Mr CONLAN - 2015-02-25
Once again, first-class cricket is returning to the Northern Territory. We have already seen the Chairman’s XI versus the English cricket side at Traeger Park. The tri-series in Darwin last year was a great success, and now Victoria’s loss is the Territory’s gain when the Victorian Bushrangers play some exciting Sheffield Shield games in the coming months. What can sport fans expect when the Territory hosts first-class cricket?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. He holds great interest in not only Alice Springs, but in the cricket there. This is an historic day; this government, working with Cricket Australia, has brought Australia’s premier domestic cricket competition, the Bupa Sheffield Shield, to the Northern Territory for the first time.
Alice Springs is where all the action is, with two matches, the first of which starts today. Before I came into the House, the score of today’s match between the Victorian Bushrangers and the Queensland Bulls was 3 for 135, with Joe Burns on 71. Queensland is doing all right at this stage.
Match two, which will be round 10 of the Bupa cup – the final round – will see the Victorian Bushrangers take on the Tasmanian Tigers from 13 to 16 March at Traeger Park. Those who cannot get there this week can go to that one.
Cricket Australia was impressed with the facilities at Traeger Park during last year’s tour match between the Chairman’s XI and England, and had no hesitation in declaring the venue suitable for these two important Bupa Sheffield Shield matches. These games are a fantastic opportunity for locals to see some of Australia’s best cricketers, such as Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle and Joe Burns, show their skills and push for national selection.
The government provided Cricket Australia with $140 000 to transfer to Cricket Victoria as the home team for both matches. Cricket Victoria will deliver a number of school and community clinics, as well as other visits in Alice Springs.
As honourable members are aware, these matches follow hot on the heels of the Imparja Cup, which was held over a week ago in Alice Springs. That cup had more than 40 teams participate in the week-long event at various venues around Alice Springs. I had the pleasure of seeing some of those games.
The Territory government has a $200 000 four-year sponsorship agreement with the Imparja Cup organisers, and the Alice Springs Town Council supports it in kind and through venue preparation. This government is a proud supporter of the Imparja Cup and the Sheffield Shield matches.
My thanks go to all those involved from the Department of Sport and Recreation – they work very hard and I am proud to be their minister – the Alice Springs Town Council for its key organisation of Cricket Australia, NT Cricket, and all stakeholders who have played an integral part in holding these two fine sporting events in the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. He holds great interest in not only Alice Springs, but in the cricket there. This is an historic day; this government, working with Cricket Australia, has brought Australia’s premier domestic cricket competition, the Bupa Sheffield Shield, to the Northern Territory for the first time.
Alice Springs is where all the action is, with two matches, the first of which starts today. Before I came into the House, the score of today’s match between the Victorian Bushrangers and the Queensland Bulls was 3 for 135, with Joe Burns on 71. Queensland is doing all right at this stage.
Match two, which will be round 10 of the Bupa cup – the final round – will see the Victorian Bushrangers take on the Tasmanian Tigers from 13 to 16 March at Traeger Park. Those who cannot get there this week can go to that one.
Cricket Australia was impressed with the facilities at Traeger Park during last year’s tour match between the Chairman’s XI and England, and had no hesitation in declaring the venue suitable for these two important Bupa Sheffield Shield matches. These games are a fantastic opportunity for locals to see some of Australia’s best cricketers, such as Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle and Joe Burns, show their skills and push for national selection.
The government provided Cricket Australia with $140 000 to transfer to Cricket Victoria as the home team for both matches. Cricket Victoria will deliver a number of school and community clinics, as well as other visits in Alice Springs.
As honourable members are aware, these matches follow hot on the heels of the Imparja Cup, which was held over a week ago in Alice Springs. That cup had more than 40 teams participate in the week-long event at various venues around Alice Springs. I had the pleasure of seeing some of those games.
The Territory government has a $200 000 four-year sponsorship agreement with the Imparja Cup organisers, and the Alice Springs Town Council supports it in kind and through venue preparation. This government is a proud supporter of the Imparja Cup and the Sheffield Shield matches.
My thanks go to all those involved from the Department of Sport and Recreation – they work very hard and I am proud to be their minister – the Alice Springs Town Council for its key organisation of Cricket Australia, NT Cricket, and all stakeholders who have played an integral part in holding these two fine sporting events in the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016