SA vs IND 2018, 1st Test: CSA Renting Dressing Rooms, a Usual Task for Cape Town Matches

Cricket South Africa (CSA) rents dressing rooms from WPCC for all the matches played at the iconic stadium of Capetown. It has been a tradition for 25 years, ever since South Africa were brought back to International Cricket.

The WPCC was established way back in the year 1964. It was the owner of the Newlands Stadium, Cape Town for a very long time. In 2002, the stadium was sold to the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA).

The deal stated that WPCC would continue to be the owner of the Member’s pavilion at the venue. As reported in News18, the top officials of the WPCC confirmed the same and noted that the then club chairman Bryan Biebuyck had struck this deal.

“The deal was signed by Bryan, and we do not think there is anything wrong in this, and a fresh deal is signed every financial year. It helps us sustain the club. We have around 2,400 seats for members who get tickets to matches and also can have a good time at the bar and order good food at a discounted rate while watching the game. Say another 500 can come in to watch the game from our pavilion,” John, general manager of WPCC stated.

The official further revealed that renting dressing rooms is the only source of revenue for WPCC. He also admitted that family members of the cricketers are also welcome to watch the matches from the dressing room. However, they need to follow a certain dress code.

“It comes at a very nominal fee, and the players’ dressing room is very well maintained and rather than making it swanky, we have tried to keep the old charm alive. You have to realize that renting out the dressing room during an international game is our way of earning revenue and sustaining the club. Not just members, even their families are more than welcome to come. Only, there is a dress code that needs to be followed, and you cannot walk in wearing slippers or floaters,” he further added.

However, WPCA is quite concerned about paying rents at Cape Town. One of the officials mentioned that the association is eager to build a new dressing room. They wish to have the dressing room in the areas which belong to the WPCA to avoid paying rents.

“While the deals are negotiated in a very gentlemanly manner, it is inconvenient for WPCA as a new deal has to be brokered every year. And thus, we are planning to move on and build new dressing rooms in areas which belong to the WPCA and have the players walk in from the middle of the crowd as in Lord’s,” Western Province Cricket Association member David Bookes mentioned.

Here is the newsfeed:

An Improved Pace Attack is India’s USP- Kepler Wessels

Calf Injury Rules Chris Lynn Out of England ODIs

Australia Thump England 4-0 to Clinch the Urn