Cricket Tas and Clarence clash as SFL finals and summer season approaches
A leading SFL club’s coach is hopping mad about again being booted from its home ground on the eve of the finals to make way for cricket. Read the details.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two major sporting clubs have clashed with one local footy team set to be booted off its ground ahead of the finals series.
Southern Football League Premier League contender Clarence will vacate Ninja Stadium after its final home game on August 30 due to Cricket Tasmania needing to prepare the facility for its Sheffield Shield opener against Western Australia in mid-October.
It means the Roos will be forced to train in new surroundings as they bid for premiership success. The two parties have consistently discussed the use of the venue in recent times with Cricket Tasmania needing a significant lead up period to prepare for domestic cricket.
Clarence currently has a lease to use Ninja Stadium facilities, which Cricket Tasmania operates, that is understood to span from April 1 to September 30 each year.
Roos president Nat Beldin expressed frustration with the decision.
“The plain and simple thing that we are dealing with at the moment is that we have a lease with Cricket Tasmania that doesn’t back us at all,” Beldin said.
“We are not protected in any way shape or form with our lease which is something we are discussing at the moment.
“Basically they can decide when cricket starts and that is what has happened this year, as they’ve agreed to allow their first Shield game for 15th of October, knowing they need six weeks of ground preparation which kicks us off at the end of August.
“It’s extremely disappointing, it’s frustrating, it’s the most important time of the year for us and we haven’t won a premiership in 15 years and we wonder why.
“Unfortunately we have no grounds to stand on to fight that because our lease doesn’t protect us and realistically it is completely up to Cricket Tasmania what they do and this is where we are at.”
Clarence currently sits second on the ladder in the men’s competition while the Roos women are red hot flag favourites.
Men’s coach Grant Fagan said he was angered by the move.
“I’m not sure how much Cricket Tasmania have the influence on scheduling of games with Cricket Australia but you would have thought they would have tried to not have a Shield match here that early in the season if they had any respect for our club at all to be honest, in my opinion,” he said.
“Our club has a lease here for six months of the year and we try to work really hard with cricket to fit in with all their needs.
“Just disappointing that Sheffield Shield’s being scheduled for 15th of October here and they want to shut the ground off for six weeks to get it ready.
“We don’t have any say in it really, so we’ve just got to go away and plan another venue to train at and get our players to focus on the finals from there.
“We just move on, we get on with it and hope that next year something better will come from discussions.”
The Tigers played their first Shield match at Ninja Stadium last season in November and in the 2023-24 season, they played against Queensland in late October.
Cricket Tasmania won’t be making a comment on the matter.
More Coverage
Originally published as Cricket Tas and Clarence clash as SFL finals and summer season approaches
First look: The Kingborough Twin Ovals masterplan
Kingborough Council has unveiled its masterplan for Twin Ovals sporting precinct which will become home to the Tasmania Devils and JackJumpers. Get your first look and see how you can get involved.
A re-elected Rockliff will not waver on stadium, or salmon farming
Tasmania’s Premier says he will not abandon his support for the Mac Point stadium as he looks to crossbenchers for support and prepares to “get on with the job”.