International sports fixtures point to bright future for venue

BLACKTOWN International Sportspark has wrapped up the year with two international warm-up cricket matches.

NSW 2nd XI v Hong Kong at Blacktown International Sportspark.

• Martial arts pair set to shine
• Netball team wins grand final

BLACKTOWN International Sportspark has wrapped up the year with two international warm-up cricket matches.

The Hong Kong international took took on the NSW 2nd XI team in two one-day warm-up matches – one yesterday and another today – at the sportspark.

The visitors also played a warm-up game against the Sydney Thunder BBL team in Orange on the weekend.

NSW snd XI v Hong Kong.

The former Olympic venue, which is home to the Sydney Blue Sox baseball club, has been well utilised hosting international cricket and baseball matches this season.

State sporting bodies including Softball NSW and Little Athletics NSW regularly use thethe state of the art sports hub for their major events.

Bangladesh team with Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali. Pictures: Phil Rogers

In March, the sportspark will host a pre-season AFL match between arch-rivals GWS Giants and Sydney Swans as part of the newly announced 2017 Jardine Lloyd Thompson community Series.

A Cricket NSW spokesman said the venue played a key role in bringing big-time sport to the people of western Sydney.

“Blacktown International Sportspark is an important venue for Cricket NSW and we look forward to working more closely with Blacktown Council in the future to enhance the cricket played there,” the spokesman said. “Western Sydney makes a very significant contribution to cricket in NSW and its important to one of Australia’s largest areas is well serviced.”