04 Apr 2018 Border Mail, Albury-Wodonga (General News) by Shana Morgan FUTURE Australian cricket stars, trained to play in the right spirit, could be from the Border after Wodonga won most of the funding needed for a centre of excellence. Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes yesterday confirmed the Victorian government, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria would contribute $500,000 towards a $1.3 million indoor training centre at Birallee Park. Wodonga Council has already committed $600,000. The council hoped Cricket NSW would contribute $200,000 to make it a true cross-border collaboration, but that commitment has been capped at $50,000. Albury mayor Kevin Mack told The Border Mail his council would find a way to make up the $150,000 shortfall. Were considering it and were also speaking to Cricket NSW about why they didnt allocate the full funding, he said. Were not going to allow the facility to be downgraded. Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie said it was important to start work on constructing the cricket centre this year, so it could open in 2019, but plans remained flexible in the hope of securing the full $1.3 million. A centre of excellence allows us to service the region, but also attract others here to come and work in that academy environment, so were absolutely delighted, she said. We know that our cricket numbers are growing at some of the fastest rates across the state so we need to provide the assets and the ability for our people and the region to be able to have access to the best training facilities. Continued: P4 Training centre to benefit kids Continued from P1 Cricket Victorias Anthony Ilott said there had been a 5 per cent increase in cricket participation on the Border over the past 18 months and the new centre meant they did not have to travel to Melbourne for expert training. The focus on the development of our younger players is really key at this point in time because we want to make sure that cricket is not only played by the rules, but playing in the right spirit, and we think this is a centre that can help engender that in the future generation of players, he said. The indoor cricket training centre plans were relocated to Birallee Park after Wodonga Council could not secure federal government funding for Baranduda Fields and will feature four pitches, unisex player change rooms and office accommodation for staff. Caption Text: DELIGHTED: Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie said it was important to secure funding to get construction on the centre started this year. Picture: KYLIE ESLER GRAND PLANS: Cricket Victorias Anthony Ilott, Albury mayor Kevin Mack, Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie and Northern Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes. Picture: KYLIE ESLERLicensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.