Mackay to host U19 national cricket championships at Harrup Park

Mackay will play a part in the development of Australia’s future cricket stars when it hosts a major national tournament.

Josh Garner of Australia celebrates the wicket of Anjala Bandara of Sri Lanka during the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Conaree Sports Club on January 17, 2022 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Picture: Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

The tournament that launched the careers of Ian Healy, Travis Head, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist will have a sweet flavour in 2022 after Mackay secured the hosting rights.

The National Under-19 Championships will be played in the sugar city, with games set to take place at Harrup Park and Magpies Sporting Club.

Australia’s next generation of elite male talent will play matches from April 7, spanning five fields at two locations, with the final hosted at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Josh Garner will be an important player in the U19 carnival. Picture: Michael Steele

GBRA Arena and Facilities manager John Stock said the stadium’s history of hosting women’s international and domestic cricket proved the region could handle the tournament.

“We are very fortunate to have one of the best regional cricket facilities in the country here at Harrup Park,” he said.

“Harrup Park is an ideal venue to host a competition like this because we have five turf wicket ovals at the same location and two of these are under lights.

The U19 carnival has helped launch the careers of Travis Head and Will Pucovski, who have both played test cricket for Australia. Picture: Michael Steele

“This complex is ideal for tournaments, a cricketer’s dream that a lot of major capital city grounds can’t match.”

The region will host 10 teams across eight days of 50-over cricket matches, with the final to be played on April 14.

Current Australian test cricketer Travis Head has been a product of the tournament, being named player of the year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and captained South Australia to a championships win in his top age.

Aidan Cahill is expected to make the trip to Mackay for the U19 national championships in April, 2022. He has been an important member of the Australian U19 team. Picture: Michael Steele

Cricket Australia’s head of performance Shawn Flegler said the tournament provided elite junior cricketers to launch international careers.

“These tournaments continue to provide important development opportunities for our next generation of Australian cricketers,” he said.

“There has been an impressive record of players transitioning from our underage championships into elite competitions and we look forward to watching the development of this year’s group.”

The tournament was initially postponed after a Covid-interrupted 2021, and a full National Championship season is expected to return in 2022-23.