South Australian Cricket Association Explained

South Australian Cricket Association
Abbrev:SACA
Logosize:200
Sport:Cricket
Aff:Cricket Australia
Headquarters:Adelaide Oval
President:Will Rayner
Chairman:Will Rayner
Url:https://www.saca.com.au
Countryflag:South Australia
Countryflag2:Australia

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is the peak body for the sport of cricket in South Australia. The association administers the South Australian men's and women's teams based in Adelaide. SACA is the controlling body for the South Australian Grade Cricket League. The chairman is Will Rayner.

Background

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) was formed in 1871 as the "South Australian Cricketing Association"[1] and is the state Cricket body in South Australia. It administers the Grade club cricket competition – the South Australian Grade Cricket League – and the state reprenstative men's team, South Australia's first-class cricket team as well as the state's women's team in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL).

SACA's stated aim is to promote and develop the game of cricket in South Australia. The SACA has a membership base of more than 28,000 members and an elected Board which governs the activities of the Association.

In 2009, following negotiations with SACA, SANFL and the AFL, Premier Mike Rann announced that the South Australian Government would make an investment of $450 million to redevelop Adelaide Oval in order to improve amenities and enable AFL football to be played there.[2] The following year Treasurer Kevin Foley announced that the government contribution would increase to $535 million.[3] In 2011 53% of SACA members voted in favour of the redevelopment.[4]

In Big Bash League and Women's Big Bash League, it is represented by Adelaide Strikers (Men) and Adelaide Strikers (Women) respectively.

South Australian Premier Cricket

The SA Premier Cricket Competition is the state (metro Adelaide) cricket league of South Australia. The league administers structured competitions ranging from SACA's Ray Sutton Shield competition for Under 13's through to the West End A Grade competition.

Clubs

There are 13 clubs in the SACA Premier cricket competition. All clubs field four senior teams and 12 of the clubs (University being the notable exception) have four junior teams competing in regular weekend competitions.

South Australian Premier League

In 2013, SACA launched the SACA Premier League consisting of four South Australian teams, Papua New Guinea Barramundis and Northern Territory Strike. The league was designed to further expose the top players from the SACA grade competition to better cricket and also offering international development for PNG along with a pathway for players from the Northern Territory. The league was re-named the West End Redbacks League in 2016.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: South Australian Cricketing Association . . Adelaide . 1 June 1871 . 30 September 2012 . 6 . National Library of Australia. The "ing" was dropped between the 1898 and 1899 A.G.M.s
  2. Michael Owen, The Australian, 3 December 2009
  3. ABC News, 26 May 2010, "Another $85 million poured in to Adelaide Oval"
  4. 891 ABC, "Adelaide Oval Revamp given the green light"
  5. Web site: West End Redbacks League the stepping stone to first-class cricket. 9 August 2016. 24 November 2017. SACA.com.au. SACA.