Motels, clubs, pubs, shops and local sport are reaping an economic boost from two weeks of junior cricket carnivals in Orange.
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More than 800 players, parents and officials have been staying in Orange for the past two weeks for the under-13 and under-15 Western NSW tournaments.
Ambassador Motel manager Ben Cullis said it was a great boost at an otherwise quiet time of the year.
“We had two teams for the under-13s last week staying here and we had two teams for the under-15s this week.”
That amounted to 90 people staying at his Bathurst Road venue.
“It’s a definite economic benefit. Absolutely, 100 per cent.”
Mr Cullis said pubs and clubs in town also benefited from the teams buying meals.
Blacktown acting coach Ameen Dole said his team had spent about $2500 on accommodation and at least $500 on food in their four-night stay in Orange.
“We are staying at the Mid-City Motor Lodge. The accommodation is pretty good. The rooms are much better than we expected.”
He said the players had swum at the aquatic centre after each game and visited many food stores.
“It’s so convenient to where we are staying, it’s so close.”
Mr Ameen said he was keen to bring the rest of his family to visit Orange.
“I wouldn’t mind bringing them here, it’s not all about cricket.”
Orange and District Junior Cricket Association president Dave Cumming said 30 teams, plus two from Orange, each with 13 players and just as many officials and family members, were in Orange.
The money we make from this we pump back into the community.
- Dave Cumming, Orange junior cricket president
“The council has told us that it’s [worth] about $750,000 over the two weeks.”
Mr Cumming said the association had received praise from visiting teams about the quality of accommodation and grounds in Orange.
He said each team received a visitor pack showing them where to go to and what to do in Orange.
“All the money we make from this we pump back into the community,” he said.
That includes funding the upgrading of one cricket pitch a year to improve playing conditions in Orange.
Orange City Council deputy mayor Jason Hamling said it demonstrated the need for top sporting facilities in Orange.
He said businesses benefited from visits from family members keen to shop rather than watch cricket.
Cr Hamling he said all of the participants were well-behaved. “It’s a junior carnival, it’s not a first grade rugby league tournament.”