What’s Happening?
Origin has committed to cover Harrup Park‘s commercial LPG supply for one year. The company announced the support, before Mackay hosted its first Test match.
Australia and Bangladesh met at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with the Test scheduled from 22 to 26 August. Money previously set aside for LPG will instead support junior cricket and local clubs.
Why It Matters
The match showed Harrup Park could host international cricket at scale. It also gave the community-owned organisation confidence to seek more major sporting events.
Harrup Park CEO Adrian Young said “Hosting Mackay’s first Test match was a defining moment for Harrup Park and Great Barrier Reef Arena. To deliver an international Test of this scale, including two sold-out days, demonstrated that Mackay has the venue, people and capability to successfully host major international sport.
It gives us enormous confidence as we look towards more international cricket, major sporting events and our potential role in Brisbane 2032. Most importantly, it showed what a community-owned sporting organisation can achieve when there is a clear vision and strong support behind it.”
Local Impact
The support will lower entry costs, remove team charges and offset field and program delivery expenses. Harrup Park says families will receive immediate relief without a permanent change to its fee structure.
Young said “We’re incredibly grateful to Origin for covering Harrup Park’s commercial LPG supply for the year. Many Mackay families are managing cost of living pressures, so this donation allows us to free up a significant chunk of our budget to support them. It means we can step in and offer a special subsidy for this season to keep kids on the pitch, giving parents a much-needed financial break right now, without having to permanently alter our fee structure for the years ahead.”
The announcement also has a close link to Origin’s local workforce. The Mackay LPG depot’s team of 12 supplies Harrup Park throughout the year and holds its Christmas party there.
Origin General Manager LPG Amber Fennell said “Origin has been part of this community for a long time. We have a team of people living and working right here in Mackay, so supporting the local region is important to us. Cricket is a big part of the community, and with the town gearing up to host this historic first Test match, we wanted to show our support for the local clubs that keep the region thriving.”
“Taking care of Harrup Park’s LPG supply for the next 12 months helps free up funding to go directly towards local kids being active and playing the sport they love.”
By the Numbers
- More than $53,000 in LPG costs can now be redirected into Mackay cricket programs and local clubs.
- A 50% Cricket Blast discount will support up to 350 children aged seven to 10.
- Nomination fees will be waived for 52 local teams across the Under 11 to Under 16 divisions.
Zoom In
After the Test, Young explained how the reduced energy costs would benefit players across the junior cricket community.
“Origin’s support provides a very practical benefit. By reducing one of our significant operating costs for the next 12 months, we can redirect those savings directly back into grassroots cricket. That support will help us reduce the cost of entry-level cricket for young players and remove junior team nomination fees, providing a benefit across the junior cricket community. At a time when families and sporting clubs are facing increasing costs, partnerships like this allow us to make participation more affordable without compromising the quality of the programs we deliver.”
Zoom Out
The initiative forms part of Origin’s three-year platinum partnership with Cricket Australia. It supports the men’s and women’s national teams, the Women’s Big Bash League and the Big Bash League.
The partnership also reaches grassroots cricket clubs across Australia. Origin contributes annually to the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.
The fund helps local clubs reduce energy bills through solar, batteries and energy management solutions.
What To Look For Next?
Harrup Park plans to turn interest from the Test into lasting participation. Young said the focus would remain on facilities, coaching, competitions and affordable entry-level programs.
“The Test has put cricket in Mackay on a stage we have never experienced before, and now our responsibility is to turn that excitement into long-term participation. We want young boys and girls who watched Australia and Bangladesh play at Great Barrier Reef Arena to see a genuine pathway from their local club through to elite cricket. That means continuing to invest in facilities, coaching, competitions and affordable entry-level programs, while pursuing more international cricket that keeps inspiring the next generation.”
“The Test was an incredible milestone, but we see it as the beginning of the next chapter.”
Young said the club viewed the Test as a starting point, not a conclusion. Harrup Park will pursue more international cricket and consider its potential Brisbane 2032 role.
