Dolphins upgrade opens door to domestic and international teams
AN upgrade worth nearly $1m to the Gold Coast Dolphins cricket facilities has given the club the power to host international women’s cricket matches and training camps.
The Dolphins have officially unveiled its new clubhouse at Bill Pippen Oval ahead of the start of the 2021-22 cricket season.
The club now boats four showers in each new female-friendly change room, two toilets, an umpire’s and first aid room, physio room and ice bath area.
It also has a toilet and shower space with disability access, new carpet, lights and paint work.
The refurbishment has given the club tier 2 status and while no Queensland games or international camps are currently scheduled for the upcoming summer, the door is open for Cricket Australia to bring even more high quality cricket to the Gold Coast.
“The refurbishment looks amazing and having that tier 2 status is a real achievement for the club.” new Dolphins president Adam Daniels said.
“We have some Queensland players in the team and for them to have the chance to play domestic matches here in the future is a coup for us and for all the girls coming through our system.”
The upgrades cost $974,000, with the Queensland Government contributing $500,000 to the project.
The Dolphins men’s and women’s premier grade teams begin their seasons this weekend, with the men to play the Western Suburbs on Saturday at home in a one-day match while the women’s team will play SandgateRedcliffe at Trevor Hohns Oval.
Australian representative Michael Neser will play for the men alongside Queensland’s Max Bryant and Matt Kuhnemann.