Cricket Australia Country Championships to play in Greater Shepparton

Greater Shepparton City Council along with Cricket Australia today announced the Country Championships will be played in Greater Shepparton from 3 January to 11 January, 2019.

Male and female cricket players will play at Deakin Reserve, Princess Park, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, John Gray Oval, Tallygaroopna, Vibert Reserve, Katandra West, Howley Oval, Tatura and Tatura Park.

The championships are expected to see more than 250 players attend plus staff and umpires visit Greater Shepparton during the championships.

The Country Championships received funding from the Victorian Government’s Significant Sporting Events Fund, which provides support to sporting bodies and local councils to attract major sporting events to regional Victoria.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said hosting the Cricket Australia Country Championships in 2019 is fantastic for Greater Shepparton as this event further enhances our reputation as a leading major sporting event destination in regional Australia.

“Hosting the National Championships complements our exciting major events calendar over the next 12 months which already has other significant national week-long sporting events including the School Sport Australia Football (soccer) Championships, Basketball Australia under 14 National Club Championships, BMX Australia National Championships, Tennis Seniors Australia Australian Teams Carnival and Individual Championships and the Hockey Australia Country Championships,” said Cr O’Keeffe.

“We are truly excited to be welcoming visitors from around the country generating economic stimulation for our region helping fill our city’s accommodation, our restaurants and eating establishments, our retail and tourism sectors to help create jobs, keep local businesses busy and the economy strong”.

“Hosting these events really highlights the benefits of providing and investing in quality infrastructure and we look forward to watching the country’s best talent play right here in Greater Shepparton on national standard facilities and leaving a great legacy for our club’s young and aspiring players”.

“We would like to thank Cricket Australia for having the faith to choose Shepparton as the destination and the Cricket Shepparton board for their support, enthusiasm and can do attitude in helping partner with Council to attract these prestigious championships,” said Cr O’Keeffe.

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Community Cricket, Belinda Clark said “The Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships are a great celebration of country cricket, providing Australia’s best regional players with the opportunity to represent their State and test their skills at a high level of competition.

“We’re also passionate about the impact the administrators, coaches and players involved in this event have back in their local communities, supporting their clubs and associations to provide children a chance to play and stay in the game”

“Shepparton is a good example of a thriving regional cricket community and we look forward to working with the City of Greater Shepparton ensure this event is a great success and injects further energy and momentum into the game in this region” Said Ms Clark.

Cricket Shepparton President David D’Elia said “we are pleased to be able to host the ACCC in January, 2019. With the assistance of the Greater Shepparton City Council and our member clubs we are looking forward to showcasing our local grounds and facilities while having the opportunity to watch a high standard of cricket throughout the championships”.

The event will be free for all spectators at all ovals for the duration of the tournament.

For more information visit greatershepparton.com.au