The Museum of Perth chronicles the social, cultural, political and architectural history of Perth.
The WACA
The WACA, named for the Western Australian Cricket Association, has been the centre of sport in WA for over 100 years. Established in 1890, thousands of games have been hosted here across many different sports and it has helped shape our state’s long history of sporting culture.
Aerial view of the WACA in 1987, the WA Police Headquarters visible in the background. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)
The WACA has evolved alongside the City of Perth since its inception and due to its central location next to the Swan River, is one of the most iconic locations we have to offer. Serving as our home of cricket long before the age of Don Bradman, the history of the WACA is deeply rooted into WAs sporting culture and has helped bring Perth into the international spotlight time and time again.
The grounds of which the WACA now stands was first turfed by William Henry Wise, between 1880 and 1885. Wise, being the personal gardener to Perth Mayor Sir George Shenton, was responsible for many of the early landscaping around Perth, including that of Perth’s first tennis courts next to the Swan River. The pitch at the WACA is considered the quickest and bounciest in the world, which gives the venue a history of high scoring games. It is the only venue in the world to host 7 scores of 99 in Test cricket. Throughout 1892 and 1893 many sporting events, including lawn tennis, cycling, athletic meetings and pony races, are held at the venue, with it hosting its first game of cricket in February of 1894. Pictured, the WACA ground 1905, visible behind some row houses at the eastern end of Adelaide Terrace. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)
The Western Australian Cricket Association was established on 5 November 1885, with Perth Magistrate John Charles Horsey James as President. The Association has a 999 year lease on the land, effectively meaning that the WACA will exist forever as these types of lease, known as freeholds, were designed to not require renewal. The construction of a grandstand at the site was the first major effort to expand on the capacity of the site. The 500 seat building also contained a bar, a dining room, locker/changing rooms for the members, and toilets for the public. A second stand, named for former Association President W.J. Farley, opened in 1931. Pictured above, the original grandstand (left) filled with spectators watching a round of cricket in 1905. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)
“The official opening of the new members’ stand will take place at the WACA oval on Friday next at 8pm. The ceremony, which will be performed by the president of the association (Mr. Justice Draper) will be followed by a ball. Bridge tables will also be available. The spacious new dining room has been reserved and specially prepared for dancing.”
Due to Perth’s isolation from the eastern states, for many years cricket in WA operated almost completely independently from the rest of Australia. With journeys taking days by rail, the opportunity for a Perth team to verse one from a different state was rare and thus the occasions would draw huge crowds. The first first-class match to be held at the WACA was between Western Australia and South Australia from 3-6 April 1899, with South Australia the victor by 4 wickets. As Fremantle was a major stopping point for many ships sailing from Europe, Perth was able to host several international teams that were touring Australia including the world’s first international women’s match, between WA and the English women’s cricket team on 24-26 November 1934. Pictured, the English cricket team at the Farley Stand of the WACA, 1936. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)
The original 1895 scoreboard was destroyed in a storm in 1948. Generously, a new scoreboard was donated by the North West Murchison Cricket Association and was opened in December of 1953. This scoreboard remains at the WACA still in use today. Pictured, the current scoreboard in 1953. (Supplied: wikimedia commons)
Concerts have been held at the venue for decades, but are less popular now due to the larger capacities at both Optus Stadium and Subiaco Oval. Pictured above, Mick Jagger on stage at the WACA during the Rolling Stones Pacific Tour 1973.
Test cricket had first began at the WACA between 21-24 March 1958 between the English and Australian womens’ teams. After this, Players Pavilion was built to provide facilities for the players and the WACA administration, with extra seating being added as well. Construction of the Inverarity Stand, named for South and Western Australian player John Inverarity, was completed in 1970 to coincide with the first International men’s test cricket was first held here between 11-16 December 1970, also between Australia and England. Pictured, 2nd Test at the WACA between Australia and England, 14 December 1974. (Supplied: State Library of Western Australia)
From 1984 to 1988 the WACA ground saw a major renovation undertaking. The turf was resurfaced with the pitch being realigned. The three tiered Prindiville grandstand and two tiered Lillee-Marsh grandstand were constructed during this period while in the outer surrounds, new terracing and seating was added to increase capacity. The WACAs iconic 70m tall light towers were installed in 1986, allowing for the first time day-night cricket and other night sport matches to be played at the ground. Pictured, looking west towards the CBD as the WACA ground is being resurfaced in the foreground, 1985. (Supplied: Stevenson, Kinder & Scott Corporate Photography)
Australian rules football has been played here ever since Fremantle and West Perth faced each other at the start of 1895 WAFL season. Perth Football club was established in 1899 and was based at the WACA until 1958. During the redevelopment of the WACA grounds into a much larger capacity stadium, WA saw the establishment of the first non-Victorian team to join the VFL. The West Coast Eagles were founded in 1986 in Perth, and split their home games between three venues; Subiaco Oval, Fremantle Oval, and the WACA grounds. Finals footy first came to the WACA during the 1994 AFL season where West Coast defeated Collingwood by 2 points in the qualifying final to secure a preliminary final against Melbourne, also held at the WACA, West Coast defeated Melbourne by 52 points in a ground record attendance of 34,317. A second WA AFL team, Fremantle Football Club was established in 1995 and would also go on to play at the WACA. The venue once again went under redevelopment in 2002 which reduced the east-west width of the playing field by 32m meaning Australian rules could no longer be played here, with all AFL matches transferring to Subiaco Oval full time. Pictured, West Coast Eagle Glen Jakovich acknowledges the crowd after the 1994 preliminary final at the WACA. West Coast would go on to win the 1994 premiership. (Supplied: westcoasteagles.com)
English Premier League team Chelsea Football Club in Perth at the WACA, 20 July 2018, training prior to their match again Perth Glory Football Club the next day. (Supplied: chelseafc.com)
Perth Scorchers verse Brisbane Heat in the KFC Big Bash League at the WACA, 5 January 2017. (Supplied: perthscorchers.com)