Bennett Oval benefits from SACA partnership
The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) and Whyalla City Council are working hand-in-hand to ensure Bennett Oval is in top form for this Friday’s T20 Twilight Spectacular.
Over the course of the past 12 months, Trent Kelly, SACA Grounds Manager, has been travelling to Whyalla to share his expertise and prepare the grounds for local cricket competition under lights.
Trent has also offered guidance and advice to Council’s Ovals Team, helping them to gain the skills required to prepare a wicket to a standard that is acceptable by SACA.
Brenton Hull, Council’s Open Space Coordinator, was thankful for SACA’s support and said the partnership was a great opportunity for Council’s Ovals Team to learn from the best.
“Working with Trent over the past year has been a fantastic learning experience for our Ovals Team.
“I’d like to thank Trent for his mentorship and willingness to share his knowledge and experience.
“Under Trent’s careful tutelage, we’ve been able to improve our teams’ capabilities and now have the necessary skills in-house to produce an oval and a wicket that is of a very high standard.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the outstanding effort from Peter Farrer and Gordon Conlin of Council’s Ovals Team, as a result of their dedication Bennett Oval is in magnificent condition” Mr Hull said.
Keith Bradshaw, CEO of the South Australian Cricket Association, was also full of praise for the excellent sporting facilities available in Whyalla.
“We would like to thank the City of Whyalla, Government of South Australia and the SANFL who have been outstanding partners throughout the Bennett Oval redevelopment.
“Having quality lights will enable cricket to be played for extended hours whilst giving country cricket new opportunities to grow” Mr Bradshaw said.
The community are urged to come along on Friday night and support Whyalla’s first ever T20 Twilight Spectacular, being held under the brightest regional lighting facility in South Australia.
The free event will act as the official opening of the upgraded facilities, with local T20 teams playing back-to-back cricket games under lights for the first time at Bennett Oval.
Full bar and canteen facilities will be available.
For all information on the evening, and to book your free tickets (capped at 1000 due to COVID restrictions), please click here https://bit.ly/3iTl0X9 or visit Council’s website.
Program – Friday 29 January 2021 – Bennett Oval
4:00pm | Come & Try Pop Up Clinic |
5:30pm | North Whyalla v West Whyalla |
8:00pm | Roopena v Central Whyalla |
Lighting specs:
- Brightest regional lighting facility in South Australia
- Second brightest outside of Adelaide Oval
- 500 lux – Bennett
- 800 lux – Adelaide Oval
- Lighting towers 36m tall
- Designed to minimise light spill – focused on the oval while minimising impact on surrounding residents
Overall project cost $4.8m, including State Government grant funding
(L-R) Brenton Hull, Councill’s Open Space Co-ordinator; John O’Halloran, Vice President Whyalla Cricket Association; Kristen Clark, Council’s Director Infrastructure and Trent Kelly, SACA Grounds Manager
are pictured inspecting the grounds at Bennett Oval in readiness for this week’s T20 Twilight Spectacular