Local cricket clubs around the State will this week welcome the arrival of seven new sport and recreation coordinators.

A contribution of more than $1 million over the next three years from the State Government has assisted Queensland Cricket to employ the club coordinators, who commence work this week in a number of regions across the State.

The co-ordinators will work closely with Queensland Cricket’s Regional Cricket Managers and Cricket Officers and provide guidance and advice to clubs on such matters as governance, fund-raising, grant applications, promotional and marketing activities and sponsorships.

Additionally, they will also assist clubs with systems to recruit, retain and manage their volunteers.

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Graham Dixon said the commencement of the co-ordinators would provide valuable assistance for many volunteer cricket administrators.

“The role of the volunteer in grass roots sport is not always highly visible, despite their importance to maintaining the overall health of the sport, so this assistance will be warmly welcomed.”

“The coordinators will complement the wonderful job that is currently done by our volunteers, and that will enable Queensland Cricket to put more effort into growing our sport, especially in the area of participation for that crucial 5-15 age bracket.”

“As well as helping to grow participation, it also means cricket in those regions will be better placed to service those who are currently involved, making their experience of the game even more rewarding.”

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“The regions targeted will help us work harder in the community to encourage more kids and adults to be active and to play sport.  By strengthening the clubs, we can devote more time to growing the game and the subsequent benefits that flow from there," he said.

Mr Dixon said the backing of the State Government for the initiative was an excellent example of funding being used to assist the community and sport at the grassroots.

The club coordinators were placed in locations that had been identified as “hot spots” by demographic research collected by Cricket Australia, which looked a variety of factors including population trends and opportunities to grow cricket participation via clubs from the Milo in2CRICKET program through to all junior cricket.

“We are confident they will assist cricket to continue to grow and develop in those regions over the next three years,’’ Mr Dixon said.

The club co-ordinators are:

Far North Queensland: Gavern Lovett (Cairns)
Central Queensland: Peter Wells (Rockhampton)
Sunshine Coast North: Matthew Walter
Sunshine Coast Central: Rian Murphy
Brisbane North: John Deitz
Brisbane East: Clair Williamson
Brisbane West: Robert Libeau