WACA Wallys

[holybishop]

“I grew up watching cricket at the WACA and if I can give back to cricket now, I am pleased to do so. The WACA is an iconic ground and an important cricketing institution,” Mr Porter said.

“Ultimately, I am determined to do everything in my power to support the Board and help devise the path that can ensure the WACA grows and propers and remains the home of cricket in Western Australia.”

Seems to be in favour of fighting to keep cricket at the WACA. Fingers crossed he can pull some strings and some federal funding will be on its way.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

The most famous pitch in the world needs to stay! Build two grand stands from hill to hill and make the big bash a bigger part of the season. Maybe two 4-6 week stints so everyone plays each other twice.

 

[hitthepost]

The most famous pitch in the world needs to stay! Build two grand stands from hill to hill and make the big bash a bigger part of the season. Maybe two 4-6 week stints so everyone plays each other twice.

Only one of those things can be done by the WACA
The other, in this suggestion, really begins cannibalising the whole summer to T20.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

Only one of those things can be done by the WACA
The other, in this suggestion, really begins cannibalising the whole summer to T20.

But there is really no other revenue raiser for the WACA.

 

[Rob]

Crowd for yesterdays ODI was 18288. Bigger crowd than 2 of the BB games, but smaller than the other 2.

Pretty sure it was sold out (there was only about 1500 tickets left a couple of weeks ago). But given it was a day game on a Friday there would have been plenty of members that didn't/couldn't show up.

WA really does get the short straw when it comes to CA scheduling. If they wanted a day game at the WACA, why not play it on the weekend?

 

[The_Reaper]

Pretty sure it was sold out (there was only about 1500 tickets left a couple of weeks ago). But given it was a day game on a Friday there would have been plenty of members that didn't/couldn't show up.

WA really does get the short straw when it comes to CA scheduling. If they wanted a day game at the WACA, why not play it on the weekend?

Or if they want a team to play at 1.30 eastern time on a public holiday why the Perth Scorchers?

 

[Rob]

It's actually a good reason to shift the big games to the new stadium. I doubt CA would schedule games in Perth at absurdly fan-unfriendly times if they had 60,000 seats to sell.

 

[mightymouse75]

Anyone going to the g tommorrow?

 

[Kwality]

It's actually a good reason to shift the big games to the new stadium. I doubt CA would schedule games in Perth at absurdly fan-unfriendly times if they had 60,000 seats to sell.

60k crowds in Melbourne are not common - bit optimistic Rob?

 

[Rob]

60k crowds in Melbourne are not common - bit optimistic Rob?

Didn't suggest that all the seats would be filled.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

It's actually a good reason to shift the big games to the new stadium. I doubt CA would schedule games in Perth at absurdly fan-unfriendly times if they had 60,000 seats to sell.

more people watch tv than attend...

 

[Rob]

more people watch tv than attend...

CA is still controlled by the state associations, and if the WACA thinks its missing out on significant income then they're going to kick up a stink about it.

In any case, it's not necessarily about TV. If CA want to play games in the afternoon, then there's no reason they can't schedule them in Perth on weekends.

 

[mightymouse75]

Another sell out on Friday, go scorchers

 

[The_Reaper]

Another sell out on Friday, go scorchers

Sold out before 12.00 as well I believe

 

[hitthepost]

Sold out before 12.00 as well I believe

I read that as "sold out at 12,000" :/

 

[Kwality]

I read that as "sold out at 12,000" :/

based on ....

 

[Beetlebum]

22,000 more like.

 

[Oneiros]

Depends how the members side of things go; me and the missus won't be able to go, I wasn't expecting us to get a home final when we finished third, so I didn't have any time booked off. With a 4:40pm start, you really need to be able to take time off work or you can't make the most of it.

 

[holybishop]

The fact that it's on a Friday though would make it easier for members to finish early or just sneak out. The WACA arent selling any visitor passes for the members area so they're expecting close to capacity on that side.

 

[holybishop]

21966 Day 1 Test
20783 Big Bash Final
19845 Day 2
19495 BB v Adelaide (Thursday)
18790 Day 3
18718 BB v Sydney Thunder (Friday)
18288 ODI
15958 Day 4
15953 BB v Renegades (Boxing Day)
15355 BB v Hobart (Tuesday)
7201 Day 5

That's the complete list of the WACA crowds at major games this summer. The attendance for the Big Bash final was superb. Chockablock around the ground, members and peasants. I'd say with the Big Bash games being well supported, the WACA will put up the temporary seating that was originally just put up for the Ashes every season. They did say that they have to sell half the seats in the temporary stands to break even in costs and as long as they dont get too shafted with scheduling, like lots of mid week matches at 4.40, they should comfortably do so.

 

[holybishop]

Got an email today about the future of the WACA.

Dear holybishop

I am pleased to write to you with important information in relation to the future of the WACA and cricket in this State.

Your Board has engaged highly respected company director and businessman Michael Smith to head a special committee to review and make recommendations on the future of the WACA Ground.

Mr Smith has been appointed independent chairman of the Future Development Strategy Committee, which also includes current WACA Board members, former executive director of Harvey Norman Stephen Hauville, St John of God Hospital Subiaco CEO Dr Lachlan Henderson, Mining Executive Alan Rule, Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter and WACA CEO Christina Matthews.

The committee has been asked to present its report to the full Board in December this year. The report will include recommendations on the future direction of the WACA and its infrastructure needs supported by a business plan aimed primarily at benefiting cricket, WACA members and the public.

Since making our decision late last year not to proceed with the previous redevelopment of the WACA, it was important to take stock of the current position and consider how best to move into the future in the interests of cricket, WACA members and the cricket loving public.

Establishing such a highly credentialed committee from our current Board members with the involvement of our CEO Christina Matthews brings a high degree of business rigor to the process.

Michael Smith’s deep understanding of sport and business in this State through his current and previous roles will ensure that all options for setting cricket on a confident and sustainable new course will be thoroughly explored.

During the past two years we have invested significant funds in facilities at the WACA Ground, but clearly we need to consider options that meet the current and future expectations of members and make watching cricket more enjoyable.

The new Perth Stadium at Burswood will bring new options for sports such as cricket and football in this State, and how these will fit with existing facilities such as the WACA and Patersons Stadium will be important considerations.

At this stage, the Board is committed to the WACA Ground continuing to be the home of cricket in Western Australia.

Based on historical attendance data and examples of other venues around Australia, Test Matches at the new Perth Stadium would not appear to be viable, notwithstanding the commercial terms for staging events at the new Perth Stadium are still unknown.

The Future Development Strategy Committee review will consider all options, including this issue and I am confident we will determine an outcome that will see cricket continue to prosper in Western Australia.

The Board and Management is committed to ensuring our Members are kept up to date on all the latest developments and will continue to communicate these to you. I also encourage you to register to attend one of our Members Forums, the first of which on Tuesday 12 August will give you the opportunity to hear direct from Michael Smith about the work of his committee and to raise any related matters with him.

Sincerely

Sam Gannon

WACA Chairman​

 

[Kwality]

No one can complain, its concise and will consider the options.

 

[holybishop]

Renewals are out. $330, same as last season. Was hoping for a discount with the lack of test.

 

[Oneiros]

Been offered a separate membership this year, but I think I'll stick with my wife's membership+guest card. That nomination fee is a prick .

 

[blueboy25]

Renewals are out. $330, same as last season. Was hoping for a discount with the lack of test.

They sent a email a few weeks back advising members of the extra international one dayers the WACA has this season and as a 'treat' they won't be increasing the membership price.