December 4, 2023
A new cricket training facility at Alan Downie Sports Fields in Nanango has been officially named after Scorpions’ stalwart Jay Steinhardt.
A small ceremony was held at the new training nets on Saturday morning to mark the completion of the project and the unveiling of the naming sign.
Nanango and District Cricket Club president Helen Burrows said the Scorpions’ committee had decided to acknowledge the tireless work of Jay, who has been a member of the club since 2008.
“(Jay) has done it all for our club,” she said.
“He has been president, groundsman, coach and player. (He) shows up even when he is required not to. He has been a steadfast member of the Nanango and District Cricket Club.”
The four new training pitches replace three old wire enclosures.
A new concrete slab has been laid, soft netting has been installed along the walls and roof, and four synthetic pitches laid.
The whole project cost $110,000, and would not have been possible without the support of the Heritage Community Bank Nanango ($30,000), the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund ($30,000), the Gambling Community Benefit Fund ($35,000) and Nanango & District Cricket Club ($15,000 cash and in-kind funding).
“The Heritage Community Bank have been amazing supporters of ours,” Helen said.
“As well as our training facility project, they have supported us with our third wicket project as well.
“To Andrew Black and the Board, we extend a huge thank you for your support.”
Helen said the demolition of the old training facility began in April, and the new structure was completed in late August.
It had been a goal of the club for five years.
She said the new training facility was the only four-lane nets in the South Burnett, and should help to attract more professional training opportunities to Nanango.
“We are looking at utilising this facility to invite coaches and mentors to the area to train and help our juniors improve and achieve their cricket goals,” she said.
The cricket club is now weighing up plans for another possible extension to the facility.
There is the potential to install another dedicated lane with a bowling machine at the rear of the new four lanes.
Congratulations Jay. Great to see a local volunteer acknowledged.