Ocotber 29, 2015
An elite training indoor sports centre was opened at Bundalaguah today by Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, creating new opportunities for elite coaching clinics in the region.
The $600,000 facility features many of the newest technologies used at the MCG and is the only one of its kind this side of Melbourne.
Sporting Legends has built the centre for use by sports clubs across the district, namely cricket and baseball.
CEO Ken Bailey said the new centre had state-of-the-art bowling machines, a range of practice nets and baseball electronic pitching equipment.
“It’s a great facility and we will make it available to all Sale-Maffra Cricket Association clubs and baseball clubs and any other sporting groups who want to use it,” Mr Bailey said.
“It brings to Gippsland the type of facilities that Melbourne youth have easy access to, but we have nothing else like it in Gippsland.
“We will be able to bring elite coaches to Gippsland without being weather dependent and provide local children and senior sportspeople with access to the best opportunities possible.
“We’ve already had enquiries from district cricket clubs in Melbourne keen to come down and run coaching clinics.”
Mr Chester commended the volunteer board of Sporting Legends for its ongoing commitment to the community.
“This is a first class facility which creates more opportunities for young people in our area,” Mr Chester said.
“Sporting Legends has a proud record of investing in the local community and this new indoor sports centre comes on top of millions of dollars Sporting Legends has donated through its ongoing sporting grants programs.
“In the past year Sporting Legends has donated $180,000 directly to elite sportspeople who needed financial assistance to access top level training or to compete in state, national and international events and to various sporting clubs.
“They’ve also instigated and coordinated the annual Fun Run for Local Kids, which supports local families with sick children, and donated heavily to the new Seaspray Surf Lifesaving clubrooms.
“On behalf of the community, I thank CEO Ken Bailey and his committee of volunteers for their ongoing efforts to create more opportunities for youth across the Wellington Shire and assist young people to pursue their sporting ambitions.”
The new sports centre is located at the Bundalaguah Cricket Ground, Montgomery Road, Bundalaguah. Enquiries for the centre usage can be directed to Ken Bailey at Sporting Legends.
CAPTION: State Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, Ian Bye from Sporting Legends Sale, Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, and Neil Wrigglesworth from Bundalaguah Cricket Club, at the unveiling of the new indoor training centre.
