Tigers rapt with cricket relocation - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tigers rapt with cricket relocation

Roger Vaughan 27/10/2010 05:27:53 PM Comments (0)

Richmond assistant coach Wayne Campbell has seen first-hand what effect a new training centre can have on an AFL side.

But as excited as the long-time Tiger is about the Punt Rd redevelopment, Campbell said the relocation of the Richmond Cricket Club from the ground is even more important.

After years of negotiations and sometimes rancour between the two co-tenants at the famous ground, the cricket club has secured new facilities at Mt Waverley.

The cricketers will relocate to two full-size grounds early next year.

It means the AFL side can train year-round at Punt Rd and not worry about the centre-wicket area.

They also plan to increase the size of the oval to match the Etihad Stadium ground specifications.

"It's fantastic by the administration to do what they've done," Campbell said.

"It's probably bigger - hopefully it's been a win-win for the cricket and for footy, that they get a new facility.

"We get a ground that we can train on 12 months of the year - walk out of our front door, out of a great facility, walk into a Etihad Stadium-sized ground.

"It's going to be enormous for the club."

Campbell, one of Richmond's greatest players, was an assistant coach the Western Bulldogs for two seasons before returning to the Tigers.

He was at the Bulldogs when their moved into new training facilities at Whitten Oval.

The Bulldogs, Carlton and North Melbourne have all felt their facility upgrades have had big impacts on the teams.

"(It's) enormous - I was at the Bulldogs when they moved into their new facility," Campbell said.

"You could just see the players stuck their chests out a little bit more after being in dilapidated facilities for 20 years or whatever it had been.

"Even to walk over there now (at Punt Rd) and see what it's like (without) the finishing touches on it, for a person who's been here 20 years, it's really, really exciting.

"The benefits are numerous."

The Tigers are due to move into their new headquarters by the end of the year.

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