A special fundraiser next month, hosted by Mid Canterbury Cricket and featuring cricketing greats Garth Gallaway and Chris Harris, will raise funds to refurbish the oval pavilion and indoor training nets.
The facilities on the grounds of the Ashburton Domain are in need of a more than $60,000 upgrade to help develop the future of cricket in the region.
Mid Canterbury Cricket chairperson Jane Fowles said $60,000 was the starting point to refurbish the nets and were the first plans of the pavilion.
She said the new pavilion and indoor nets were crucial for local cricket.
“These facilities are about more than buildings,” she said.
“They are about creating a place where players can train safely and develop their skills.’’
Fowles said having Gallaway and Harris speak at the event, which included a buffet dinner, underlined just how important this project was to Mid Canterbury Cricket.
Gallaway, a highly respected figure in commentating circles, will be joined by Harris, a former Black Caps folk hero.
Both will share stories from their cricketing journeys, reflect on the game’s evolution, and highlight the importance of strong community facilities in developing players, Fowles said.
The pavilion has served cricket in Mid Canterbury for many years and the association, which took ownership last year, was committed to preserving and enhancing it as a way to support the growth of cricket across all levels, from grassroots to senior representative teams.
Funds raised from the evening will go directly toward improving the indoor nets, at the rear of the pavilion, and providing year-round training opportunities for cricketers of all ages and levels.
The fundraiser was expected to be a highlight of the season and an opportunity for supporters to contribute directly to the long-term future of cricket in Mid Canterbury, she said.
- Tickets for the event, at the Hotel Ashburton on March 17, cost $120 per person are available now. Anyone interested can contact Jane Fowles at [email protected] or 027 942 1500.
