Waratahs open Mike Pawley Oval

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | September 17, 2024

This is the photo of Mike Pawley bowling the first ball at Mike Pawley Oval.

Opened in the last round of the 2007/08 season, it was a culmination of many years of hard slog from the club, and was a huge part of making sure our pathways were well taken care of of.

See below from President Andrew Fraser in the 2007/08 Annual Report.

After 30 very long years, I am very proud to say that this years committee of the Manly Warringah District Cricket Club officially launched the new lower-grade ground at Curl Curl, on Saturday, 15 March, 2008.

The ground was fittingly named after our very own local legend, Mike Pawley. The opening of the Ground coincided with the final round of the season v Gordon in 5th grade. And what a great day it was. Thanks to Dave Gilbert, Cricket NSW CEO, for attending and opening the ground, on the same morning his beloved NSW Blues were playing day one of the grand final of the Domestic Competition (soon to be re-named Sheffield Shield?). Thanks also to Bruce Collins for attending and for his support of this project and providing funding from the NSW Cricket Board.

The opening of the new ground at Curl Curl was another significant moment in our Club’s history. For 30 years, the Club has been endeavouring to secure a third ground on the northern beaches. Finally, the dream turned into reality, thanks to the wonderful contributions by a variety of bodies, namely Cricket NSW, Sydney Cricket Association and Warringah Council. Thanks to Alex Nicoll at Warringah Council who has been superb in helping us meet our timelines and ensuring we got on the ground this season, when most said it was impossible.

Without the wonderful contributions by Cricket NSW, SCA and Warringah Council, we could not have achieved this milestone for our Club.

We would also like to acknowledge the support of our friends at Warringah Cricket Club and also the Warringah Hockey Association for their donations to the new facilities. This new ground will only strengthen our relationship with the Shires boys at Warringah!

Thanks also to Stirling Hamman, without whom, we could not have achieved our goal of opening the ground this season. Stirling helped us drive this project and was instrumental in developing the concept.You are a champion mate!

Thanks to Bradstreet Building Services for the new building facility – it looks great.

Finally, thanks so much to Simon “Cliffy” Lyon for sharing in the overall management on this project. Simon did so much ‘behind the scenes” work which was just amazing. Everyone told us there was no possible way we would play a game this season at Mike Pawley Oval – but we did it mate and I know you were as proud as me when Mick bowled the first ball to open the ground!

This addition to our Club will completely transform our Junior Development Program and it is a long overdue asset for our players, as the 5th graders will now play 7 or 8 home matches, as opposed to travelling away every single round.