Maitland Showground

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Maitland Showground
Maitland Showground
LocationMaitland Showground, Blomfield St, South Maitland NSW 2320, Australia
Coordinates 32°44′41″S151°33′46″E / 32.74472°S 151.56278°E / -32.74472; 151.56278
Opened1873

Maitland Showground is an multi-purpose outdoor recreational area located on Blomfield Street, Evans Street and Louth Park Road, in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. [1] The site is used for the annual Maitland Show (a show for agriculture, livestock and other exhibits). [2] It also includes the greyhound racing stadium known as Maitland Greyhounds [3] and the Maitland Harness Racing Club, around the exterior of the greyhound track. [4] The site is also a historic landmark for motorcycle speedway having been regarded as the birth of the sport on 15 December 1923. [5]

History

The site owned by the Albion Cricket Club at the time was purchased by the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association in 1873, although it continued as their venue for their cricket ground. Further purchases increased the size of the area to 80 acres. [1] The grandstand was renovated in both 1905 and 1920. [1]

On 15 December 1923, motorcycle speedway was introduced to the Showground. It is regarded that this was the birth of this popular form of motorcycle racing. New Zealander Johnnie Hoskins took a job as secretary of the West Maitland Agriculture Society and made the decision to introduce speedway. [5] A man called Jim Cameron built the track and the sport boomed and was then introduced to the United Kingdom. [6] The Maitland speedway hosted the Australian Solo Championship in 1952 [7] but the speedway ended at Maitland on 29 March 1952.

In 1927, the greyhound stadium was built within the showgrounds. [1] Today racing takes place primarily on Mondays and the track is 632 metres in circumference, although race distance are 400, 450 and 565 metres. [3]

In 1936, the harness racing began. [1] Today it primarily takes place on Sundays and is a 775.60 metres circumference circuit. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Our History". Maitland Showground. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ↑ "Countdown to Maitland Show". Maitland Showground. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Maitland NSW". The Dogs. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Maitland Harness Racing Club". Harness.org. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Maitland celebrates 100 years of speedway motorcycle racing, and a place in international sporting history". ABC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ↑ "Maitland NSW". Speedway and Road Race History. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  7. ↑ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
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