CLP commit $500k per year into NT Cricket

The CLP have pledged hundreds of thousands to push for further Indigenous inclusion in NT Cricket, while Labor have invested heavily into sporting infrastructure. See where the money’s going.

The CLP has announced a $500k investment into NT Cricket if they're elected, which will aid Territory products such as D'Arcy Short, Tom Menzies and Rihanna-Frances Clark. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The CLP has promised a big investment for NT Cricket to help increase Indigenous and female participation in the sport.

Cricket is one of the biggest sports worldwide and is among the dominant codes locally during the Dry Season, with the Top End Series currently in full swing.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro has made a $500,000 per year commitment to the sport to support a team of full-time First Nations Cricket development officers.

This initiative will make cricket more accessible to players in regional and remote communities and allow the officers to run programs and provide necessary equipment and education.

Ms Finocchiaro said the accessibility to sport would also act as a deterrent to young people committing crimes.

“We know that sport is a really important part of the Territory lifestyle, but it has an even bigger role to play when it comes to making sure young people are fit and healthy,” she said.

“Sport teaches discipline, camaraderie and it gives people boundaries and mateship, and these are all really important qualities for young people to learn.

“Right across the NT we’ve got young people engaging in crime and anti-social behaviour because they haven’t been given the opportunity to have a better life.

“We want more Territory kids playing sport, and we want our kids in the bust having every opportunity just like kids in the cities.”

CLP candidate Robyn Cahill, opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro and Cricket NT chief executive Gavin Dovey at the announcement. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It build on the rick history NT Cricket has with Indigenous cricket, with Alice Springs the host of the country’s largest Indigenous cricket carnival, the Imparja Cup.

NT Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey said the commitment was a “fantastic investment” into the sport he wanted to see become the largest in the NT.

“This investment is about making the incredible game of cricket fun, accessible and welcoming to our First Nations communities throughout the Territory,” he said.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity and know that by making the game accessible we’ll be able to make a positive and lasting social impact.”

Meanwhile, the Labor government has invested millions of dollars into improving sporting facilities across the Territory in the past year.

More than $4.1m has been put into significant upgrades to maintain facilities in the Darwin and Palmerston areas, in particular, since June 2023.

Sport and recreational activities are often seen as the fabric of Territory lifestyle with more than 120,000 Territorians taking part in them every year.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler and sport minister Kate Worden have dedicated plenty of funding to community sport in the NT across the past year.

Government investments include close to $1m in TIO Stadium, including $280,000 to install a cricket nursery and storage shed for a drop-in pitch, to allow the ground to host major cricket matches.

Close to $650k was dedicated to Larrakia Park to install a new scoreboard, repaint the change room doors and upgrade the car park lighting, which is expected to be completed this month.

A further $400k was put towards the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex and the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex masterplans, to determine the infrastructure needs of the complexes.

Hidden Valley also received a $400k safety upgrade to install concrete barriers, a triple guardrail, footpaths and stormwater drainage at the Northern Section of the track.

Light upgrades recently finished at the Palmerston Soccer Facility in Gray, with the club also having had field and surrounds drainage upgrades to improve the quality of the pitches.

$450k was invested to upgrade the surface at the Palmerston Tennis and Netball Centre to the Rebound Ace Synpave surface, which retains less heat.

The Palmerston Raiders Rugby League Club was given $100k to upgrade the women’s change rooms.

The drop in cricket pitch as it was installed at TIO Stadium. Picture: Max Hatzoglou

Government also invested $450k into the Marrara Indoor Stadium and Multipurpose Hall, to repaint and upgrade security and access to the centre.

And $721k was dedicated to repair the second hockey NT playing field surface at Marrara to allow for training and games to resume.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said sport provides Territorians with both a way of staying fit and also a social outlet.

“These investments ensure our grassroots sports participants have first class facilities to take part in the activities they are passionate about,” she said.

“They also help attract professional sports to the Territory.

“The new big screen at Darwin Football Stadium was used in the Australia Cup Playoff matches last month and the drop in pitches are being used at TIO Stadium in the Top End cricket series.”

Sports minister Kate Worden said the investments were making a real different for Territorians who dedicate their time to the sport they love.

“Sport plays a big role in uniting our community and having first class facilities encourages more people to participate,” she said.

“A Lawler Labor Government will continue to invest in sporting facilities so many Territorians use and enjoy.”