A wet 2020 NSW Junior State Cup forces local codes to look at alternative places other than Tuffins Lane

sport, local-sport,

THE issue surrounding a lack of suitable sporting fields around the Hastings has again reared its head following a wet NSW Junior State Cup. The result of having more than 300 millimetres of rain in five days followed by a statewide event which saw more than 600 games played at Tuffins Lane at the weekend is not a pretty one. After the 10,000 visitors to the region have left, the flow-on effect is felt by other local sporting organisations including cricket and oztag. Hastings River District Junior Cricket Association appear to be the ones most affected with six of their 12 fields looking likely to be out of action for some time. President Merv Burke said they didn't have a lot of alternate options with so many fields out of play. "Our concerns are about the availability of the fields for the rest of the cricket season because half of the cricket fields in the Port Macquarie region are at Tuffins Lane," he said. Every field in the Hastings was pencilled in to used last weekend when Tuffins Lane was out of action, which meant there were no back-up facilities available if turf wickets couldn't be played on. The round was called off due to the wet weather, which meant it wasn't an issue at the time, but seven days later it could well be. Junior cricket are not the only ones impacted, with Port Macquarie Senior Oztag Association putting contingencies in place for their local competitions for coming weeks. President Greg Smith understood the difficulties of having so much rainfall in a short period and felt it was important for all codes to work together for the best suitable outcome. "These are the times where everyone needs to work together," he said. "Between the sporting codes these days there is a common empathy that when another code is in dire straits they help out. "The reality is sporting fields-wise we've only got so many and there are so many user groups where everyone is trying to get their bit of grass to play on. "When something like this happens to Tuffins Lane, of course it will have a flow-on effect." Smith said after consultation with council and other sports groups, they have secured a new venue for the final three weeks. Their senior mixed competitions will play at Wood Street starting on February 24 and 26. "There are some issues with Wood Street; there are major construction works happening around the fields with a new road between Stuart Park and Wood Street currently closed off," Smith said. It means that all players are requested to park on the eastern side of Stuart Park (near the Basketball Stadium) and walk across Stuart Park and over to the Wood Street fields. "That's just the seniors, the juniors are a whole new story," he said. The Port News contacted Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for comment, but emails were not returned. While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE. If you value local journalism, continue to support us and consider taking out a subscription. CLICK HERE for a 30-day free trial.

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February 17 2020 - 4:00PM

THE issue surrounding a lack of suitable sporting fields around the Hastings has again reared its head following a wet NSW Junior State Cup.

The result of having more than 300 millimetres of rain in five days followed by a statewide event which saw more than 600 games played at Tuffins Lane at the weekend is not a pretty one.

After the 10,000 visitors to the region have left, the flow-on effect is felt by other local sporting organisations including cricket and oztag.

Hastings River District Junior Cricket Association appear to be the ones most affected with six of their 12 fields looking likely to be out of action for some time.

President Merv Burke said they didn't have a lot of alternate options with so many fields out of play.

"Our concerns are about the availability of the fields for the rest of the cricket season because half of the cricket fields in the Port Macquarie region are at Tuffins Lane," he said.

Every field in the Hastings was pencilled in to used last weekend when Tuffins Lane was out of action, which meant there were no back-up facilities available if turf wickets couldn't be played on.

The round was called off due to the wet weather, which meant it wasn't an issue at the time, but seven days later it could well be.

Junior cricket are not the only ones impacted, with Port Macquarie Senior Oztag Association putting contingencies in place for their local competitions for coming weeks.

A bit damp: A lack of drainage means this is an all too common sight at Tuffins Lane after heavy rainfall.

President Greg Smith understood the difficulties of having so much rainfall in a short period and felt it was important for all codes to work together for the best suitable outcome.

"These are the times where everyone needs to work together," he said.

"Between the sporting codes these days there is a common empathy that when another code is in dire straits they help out.

"The reality is sporting fields-wise we've only got so many and there are so many user groups where everyone is trying to get their bit of grass to play on.

"When something like this happens to Tuffins Lane, of course it will have a flow-on effect."

Smith said after consultation with council and other sports groups, they have secured a new venue for the final three weeks.

Their senior mixed competitions will play at Wood Street starting on February 24 and 26.

"There are some issues with Wood Street; there are major construction works happening around the fields with a new road between Stuart Park and Wood Street currently closed off," Smith said.

It means that all players are requested to park on the eastern side of Stuart Park (near the Basketball Stadium) and walk across Stuart Park and over to the Wood Street fields.

"That's just the seniors, the juniors are a whole new story," he said.

The Port News contacted Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for comment, but emails were not returned.

Muddy outlook: Tuffins Lane after the rain when the sun came out on Sunday. Photo: Rob Dougherty

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.