The WACA Ground Story
In the summer of 2017, as Perth’s iconic WACA Ground stood basking in the December heat, a transformative partnership was about to begin. Western Australia Cricket, under the leadership of CEO Christina Matthews, was facing a crossroads in their ground management approach. The challenge? Finding a way to maintain their historic grounds while adapting to the demands of modern cricket.
Enter Green by Nature, whose long-standing relationship with WA Cricket would prove instrumental in forging a new path forward. The organisation was grappling with staff retention in their turf management team, and the prospect of transitioning to a contractor model seemed increasingly necessary. But this wasn’t just about maintaining grass – it was about preserving and enhancing the legacy of Western Australian cricket.
Our journey began at a pivotal moment in Perth’s sporting history. The newly commissioned Optus Stadium stood gleaming on the banks of the Swan River, promising a new era for cricket in Western Australia. Our team faced an intriguing challenge: how to honour the time-tested traditions of the WACA Ground while embracing the cutting-edge technology of drop-in wickets at the new stadium.
The contrast between these venues couldn’t have been more striking. The WACA Ground, with its rich history dating back to the early 1890s, held decades of cricket wisdom in its soil. Meanwhile, Optus Stadium represented the future, with its modern facilities and innovative approaches to wicket preparation. Our team found themselves bridging these two worlds, learning from the past while crafting the future of cricket ground maintenance.
Looking back at our journey since December 2017, it’s clear that this partnership has grown into something far more significant than just maintaining cricket grounds. We’ve become custodians of cricket’s heritage while helping to shape its future. The hundreds of hours spent nurturing these grounds have contributed to countless moments of sporting excellence, from local community games to international test matches.
The results speak for themselves: Western Australia’s dominance in domestic cricket, the emergence of international players, and the sustainable practices that ensure these grounds will continue to serve future generations.
The transformation was particularly evident in our approach to sustainability. Where once green waste would have gone to landfill, we implemented a comprehensive recycling program. Today, approximately 220 cubic meters of green waste from the WACA Ground alone is recycled annually – a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship.
The impact of our work began to show in the most meaningful way possible: through cricket achievements. Western Australia’s men’s team has dominated domestic cricket, securing three consecutive Sheffield Shield titles and two One Day Domestic Finals in three years. Even more impressively, Western Australia now boasts the highest number of current Australian players across all three formats of men’s cricket.
What started as a turf management contract soon evolved into something much more meaningful. Our scope expanded beyond the WACA Ground and Optus Stadium to include Murdoch University’s cricket facilities, creating a network of premier cricket surfaces across Perth. But the real story lay in the details – the daily dedication to excellence that would help shape Western Australian cricket’s future
But perhaps our proudest achievement lies in the community impact. The grounds we maintain have become more than just elite sporting venues – they’re community hubs where cricket is truly for everyone. From community cricket matches to inclusion programs and all-abilities fixtures, these facilities have opened their gates to players of all backgrounds and abilities.
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