The story of how the Granada Oval came into being, sounds like fiction. If you have seen the movie Field of Dreams, you would know the basic story of how a dream leads to the creation of a field and the fulfilment of something special. However, this club is real, a community of players has been formed, games have been played and some quite incredible progress on developing the oval has been made.
Fully funded and owned by players, the Granada Oval stands as a testament to the power of community spirit and the transformative potential of sport, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared passion among its patrons.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, cricket was introduced to Granada when the Granada Cricket Club (GCC) was founded by Andrew Applin and Richard Abbott. Having established significant interest from players and supporters, a search for a home ground began. In 2020 a parcel of land in the Vegas de Genil was found a short drive for the centre of Granada.
In 2021 work began on the Granada Oval, converting a rubbish dump into a picturesque sporting field at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The land had been disused for decades leading to illegal dumping of construction waste. Great efforts were made by our players and volunteers to restore the health of the land, removing waste, adding healthy soil and planting trees.
In March 2023, the first match between Toft Taveners (UK cricket team) and the Granada Cricket Club was played on the GOval with the founders, Andy and Richie, facing the first ball bowled. Since then, cricket tournaments and competitions as well as cricket and baseball games have been played, and countless training sessions held, for men, women and juniors.This community of sporting diehards who have worked to create the oval are just one of the things that make this location and club so unique.
To buy the land and fund its development, two rounds of fundraising occurred. The first raised €15,000 from community, friends and family, whilst the second raised a further 125,000 through players and cricket fanatics. A company was formed to manage the facility and its activities, Vegas Multisports S.L.
In the meantime, Richie Abbott dedicated his blood, sweat and tears, and was joined on the journey by Aynsley Carter, Andy Torrres and innumerable GCC players and community volunteers. To this say, the Vegas Multisports S.L. is wholly owned by players and the Granada Cricket Club remains a major shareholder.
Sport is more than a pastime. It encapsulates a set of values: Fairness and Integrity, Pursuit of Excellence, Accountability and Teamwork as well as Respect for diversity. Our vision embraces these values to create a sustainable oval and club that positively impacts the community of Granada.
As well as helping to develop non-mainstream sports, we aim to provide an environment where people of all ages, gender, orientation and ethnicity can learn new skills, make friends, compete and thrive. The oval and club are not only a sporting destination, it is a community where diversity, sustainability and sport come together.
The aim of Vegas Multisport are to establish the Granada Oval as a premier sports venue in the region, offering exceptional experiences to all spectators and visitors.
Our other general objectives:
Enhance the venue's appeal to sports enthusiasts by consistently providing memorable experiences.
Attract a wider audience of sports fans by showcasing a diverse range of sporting events.
Establish a positive environmental reputation by implementing sustainable practices.
Foster a strong online presence and engaging social media presence to reach a wider audience.
Cultivate a loyal fan base and establish the Granada Oval as a hub for the local sports community.