The Gabba appoints new grounds guru

Cricket fans will see a new face behind the wheel of the heavy roller at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, affectionately known as The Gabba, this summer, with David Sandurski having been appointed as the new Head Curator.   

Sandurski will take over from legendary Grounds Manager, Kevin Mitchell Jr., who will finish his 27-year tenure following the opening Test of The Ashes series, at The Gabba from November 23 to 27.

Minister for Sport, Mick de Brenni, said Sandurski was perfect for the role:

Kevin Mitchell is an icon and certainly leaves some big shoes to fill, but I’m confident David will build on his success and continue to produce, maintain and present the world renowned, multi-use field of play that The Gabba has become famous for.

 

David has been head cricket curator at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the past 5 years and his experience at such a popular, highly regarded, mixed-use venue renowned for top class events like the Boxing Day Test make him perfect for the role.

 

Before the MCG, he spent 12 years at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, so he’ll certainly feel quite at home on the pitch at The Gabba.

 

Fans will have the chance to farewell Kevin at the Ashes and I’m sure they will be excited to welcome David on-board during a huge season of cricket, with a One Day International and several Big Bash and Sheffield Shield matches, as well as the 2018 AFL season.

Sandurski said that whilst it was a difficult decision to leave the MCG, he welcomed the opportuning to return to Queensland with his family:

I have greatly enjoyed my time at the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and will be forever grateful for the opportunity the club gave me. I cut my teeth at Allan Border Field, starting as an apprentice and doing everything up to ground manager, a position I held for about four and a half years, so this role will be a homecoming of sorts.

 

While I expect challenges like getting reacquainted with the warmer climate and humidity, as well as the multi-use nature of the venue, I’m confident my experience will hold me in good stead and I look forward to getting in there and ensuring The Gabba ground remains something to be proud of.  

 

Thanks to Kevin and his father before him, The Gabba has become renowned for hard, bouncy pitches and of course there is a lot of pressure to get it right and make the best wicket I possibly can to ensure a good contest and I’m up for the challenge!

The Gabba Grounds Manager, Kevin Mitchell Jr, said he was involved in the recruitment process from beginning to end and is extremely pleased to be handing over the keys to the heavy roller to David:

The Gabba has been my home away from home for 33 years now and it was really important to me that I be involved in selecting someone we could trust to consistently meet the high standards required and do the grounds, the teams and the fans justice. I’ve known David for 17 years and I know he is incredibly passionate about what he does and I’m very pleased to leave the grounds in his capable hands.

The MCC and The Gabba are working collaboratively to ensure that neither venue’s Test matches are negatively impacted. It is expected that Mr Sandurski will join The Gabba team from Monday 20 November to assist with Test match preparations, and may be made available to the MCG to consult prior to the Boxing Day Test.

The Gabba

First established in 1895, The Gabba has hosted many major events including cricket, AFL, baseball, rugby league, rugby union, Olympic soccer and most recently two sell-out Adele concerts.

Today, it is best known as the home of the Brisbane Lions, Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat and is regarded as an impenetrable fortress for the Australian cricket team, with one of the best cricket wickets in the world.

The venue has a 42,000-capacity and a range of function and meeting spaces that are used extensively throughout the year.

Stadiums Queensland manages, operates and promotes the use of the Brisbane Cricket Ground (The Gabba) on behalf of the Queensland Government, in addition to Cbus Super Stadium, 1300SMILES Stadium, Sleeman Sports Complex (SSC), Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC), Suncorp Stadium and Metricon Stadium.

Event Coordinator vacancy at the Sleeman Sports Complex (SSC)

EVENT COORDINATOR
Temporary Full-Time for 12 months – Maternity Leave Coverage
Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler
Vacancy Reference Number: SQ22/17
 

About the Venue

Sleeman Sports Complex (SSC) is a centre of excellence for the development of elite athletes in Queensland. The venue is the training base for Swimming Queensland, Diving Australia, Diving Queensland, Gymnastics Queensland, BMX Queensland, Cycling Queensland, Basketball Queensland and Queensland Weightlifting Association. Facilities include a BMX Supercross Track, the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Chandler Indoor Arena, Chandler Theatre, Queensland State Gymnastics Training Centre, Dry Land Diving facility, the Chandler Outdoor Velodrome and onsite accommodation facilities.

The purpose-built Anna Meares Velodrome was added in 2016, ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and boasts an international standard 250 metre cycling track. The complex hosts International, National and State events and caters for a wide variety of aquatic and fitness activities, learn to swim programs and community sports. The Brisbane Aquatic Centre, home to the Chandler Swim Club, has been recognised by Swimming Australia as a National Podium Performance Centre.

The Role

The Event Coordinator reports to the Operations Manager and is integral in the planning and delivery of all activities and events at the SSC. The position works alongside a team of Event Coordinators with shared responsibility for the supervision of Event Day Staff.

This opportunity is available for filling on a full-time basis for a temporary period of 12 months for maternity leave coverage.

The position requires out of normal hours and weekend work.

Classification

SQ AO3 – $59,954.88 (plus employer contributed superannuation)

Applications will remain current for 12 months.

The above appointment will be in accordance with the Stadiums Queensland Staff Certified Agreement 2016 and other relevant Stadiums Queensland policies and procedures.

How to Apply

To be considered for the positon you must submit a current a written response detailing your ability to deliver the key accountabilities and current resume including referee details and copies of mandatory qualifications.

You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate that you possess the essential knowledge, skills and experience and have the ability to apply SQ core principles to successfully deliver the key accountabilities of the role.

Position Description
Application Guide

Applications close: 5:00pm Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Applicants are to apply via email to recruitment@stadiums.qld.gov.au.

For further information about the role after reading the position description, please contact Tony Green, Operations Manager, SSC on Tel: +61 07 3131 9694.

Image of The Gabba, courtesy: http://www.stadiums.qld.gov.au/

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