Why new cricket competition could be a gateway to Olympic action for Mackay

Olympics action could be on the cards for Mackay as it hosts a nationally broadcasted event this weekend.

Mackay’s hopes of securing some Olympic cricket action in 2032 could be bolstered by the Century Cricket Competition which is being held this week at Harrup Park (pictured). (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Mackay’s hopes of becoming an Olympic venue in 2032 will be showcased this weekend.

The introduction of cricket as an Olympic sport, combined with the city hosting the inaugural Century Cricket Competition Mackay this weekend, could prove to be a driving force behind something heading the city’s way.

“It’s certainly a big part of our conversations at the moment,” Mackay Regional Council’s executive manager for economic development Teona Cousin said.

“We’re continuing to talk with cricket and other sporting bodies about the potential that this venue has, not only to host events at the Games itself but also events in the lead up to them.”

The quality of Mackay’s Harrup Park facility will be on full display this weekend with the action from the Century Cricket Competition broadcasting to the entire nation for free via Kayo Freebies.

“It just gets our name out there … it demonstrates that we can host these sorts of national-level events,” Cousin said.

“The facility looks great in broadcast, and we’ve seen that when we’ve hosted (Women’s Big Bash League) and AFLW matches.

“And even just having the arena and Mackay itself being mentioned and brought up, it helps lift our profile.”

Cousin said while she was not currently familiar with the Olympic standards for venues and specifically how they related to cricket, the Great Barrier Reef arena always “rates very highly.”

“I know we’re up to a very high standard when it comes to our lighting, and I know when it comes to venues outside of capital cities ours always rates very highly because of that lighting, the broadcast potential and the size,” she said.

“The number of grounds we have is also quite unique as well, to be able to host multiple matches at the one time, and that will be on display this weekend with this Century competition.”

Originally published as Why new cricket competition could be a gateway to Olympic action for Mackay