Search begins for ACB Centre of Excellence base
As part of one of Australian cricket's most significant undertakings in recent history, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) this week began the search for a base to host its Centre of Excellence.
The Centre of Excellence will become a multi-faceted cricket institution incorporating the current Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy as its key pillar. Enhanced programs for coaches, umpires, curators and administrators will also be introduced.
An information resource centre and the ACB's sports science and sports medicine programs are also included in plans for the Centre of Excellence.
ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the Centre of Excellence is part of a bold plan aimed to help Australia maintain its position as one of the world's leading cricket nations.
"The Australian Cricket Board's Centre of Excellence will be a cutting-edge cricket institution designed to pioneer development initiatives for the country's top male and female players, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators," Mr Sutherland said.
"It is a revolutionary concept that will assist Australian cricket to remain highly competitive at the international level."
Following the announcement of its intentions to create a Centre of Excellence in December 2001, the ACB this week invited interested parties throughout Australia to submit proposals to host the centre for the next 20 years.
A "request for proposals" document details the ACB's minimum requirements for the centre, which includes outdoor training ovals and pitches, indoor nets and fitness facilities, accommodation and office infrastructure.
"The Centre of Excellence presents a rare opportunity for state/territory cricket associations and governments, local councils, tertiary institutions or private companies to build a significant connection with Australian cricket," Mr Sutherland said.
The review will conclude after the ACB closes the proposal period in December 2002. It is expected the Centre of Excellence will be operating in mid-2004.
Mr Sutherland said the new centre will build on the solid cricket development foundations set by the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy.
"The Centre of Excellence aims to broaden the unrivalled success of the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy, which, since its establishment in 1987, has helped produce 31 Australian and 121 first-class cricketers," he said.
Mr Sutherland also mentioned that the ACB expects a submission for the Centre of Excellence base to come from South Australia, given that Adelaide currently hosts the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy program.
"Adelaide has been a tremendous base for the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy over the past 14 years, and the ACB expects the South Australian Cricket Association to become a proponent for the new Centre of Excellence," he said.
© 2002 Australian Cricket Board
| Teams | Australia. |
| Players/Umpires | James Sutherland. |
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