Company Profile
“ . . . . . local sport, especially junior cricket, has been enhanced by the existence of Kingsgrove Sports. You guys have made available cricket gear that years ago blokes like me could only dream about. But not only that, you have brought an attitude of professionalism to this level of the game and, for that, we at this Club will be eternally grateful”
Tony Gleeson, Secretary, Engadine Dragons CC
Kingsgrove Sports Centre Pty Ltd was founded in 1976 by Harold Solomons, who was born in Sri Lanka, and immigrated to Australia at the age of 26 in 1973. During his time as an "Activities Officer" he came across a small sports store down an arcade in Kingsgrove. The owners of the store were closing down. He changed the sports store's name to Kingsgrove Sports Centre and so began the story of the now world famous KSC. He soon began to realise the success of the store depended on specialising in one or 2 particular sports, and he decided on Cricket and Soccer. As the shop began to gain popularity Harry was approached by a manufacturer, who needed assistance to promote and market the cricket brand known as Symonds.
Harry contracted and sponsored many Australian & International established test players such as Allan Border, Doug Walters, Imran Khan, Larry Gomes, Dirk Wellham, Len Pascoe and Gordon Greenidge to name a few. He soon sponsored many young cricketers such as Mark and Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, Greg Matthews, Michael Slater and Brad McNamara. Harry's contribution to these young players involved giving them employment opportunities at the store, providing them with cricket equipment and an abundance of advice & motivation. Due to the ever expanding growth & popularity of KSC the store was compelled to move 6 times within Kingsgrove. The first store was 200 sq.ft, second 300 sq.ft. The third 1500 sq.ft.
The fourth encompassed two retail shops on Kingsgrove Road with a capacity of 3000 sq.ft. In 1993 Harry's vision was realised when KSC moved to it's current address totalling 26000 sq.ft consisting of a retail shop, warehouse, a cricket museum and a modern cricket academy. On 21 July 1995 KSC "Westside" opened to serve the growing population of Western Sydney. This 2600 sq, ft. outlet is in all possibility the most modern & specifically designed Cricket & Sports store. In 1995, Harry Solomons and Kingsgrove Sports' contribution to Australian Cricket, and to business in general, was recognised; by being awarded the prestigious "Ethnic Business of the year" by the then Prime Minister of Australia.
Since this time Kingsgrove Sports Centre has further expanded with further stores opening in Menai, Penrith and Newcastle (Check all store locations & trading hours).
The business is now considered one of the biggest cricket retail chains in the world.
The latest Kingsgrove employee to move onto higher honours was Michael Clarke who especially enjoyed morning and lunchtime practice sessions at our Cricket Academy.
Kingsgrove Sports Centre is also the proud supporter of many Organisations, Associations and Clubs as well as many charities (mentioned below). Unfortunately as much as we would love to help everyone it is impossible.
St George DCC
Randwick Petersham DCC
North Sydney CC
NSW Districts Cricket Association
All Stars Winter Cricket Association
Georges River St George Cricket Association Inc
Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association
Camden District Junior Cricket Association
Illawong Menai Kookaburras CC
Menai Hawks Soccer
Australian Deaf Cricket
CHARITITES
McGrath Foundation
Trish Foundation MS Society
Foundation of Goodness (Sri Lanka)
Nelune Foundation (Lilac Ball)
The Lords Taverners Australia
Bradman Foundation
Prostate Cancer Institute
Steve Waugh Foundation
To name but a few !
Dear Hamish / Harry
Last week I had the pleasure of attending your shop and to me it's like a kid being let loose in a lolly shop.
I had to pick up some equipment for local teams and at the same time I was considering a new bat for my son. I ended up being served by Jody Whitehead. Getting my son to the shop to get fitted is fairly impossible at the moment as we live at Bowral and he plays both Saturdays and Sundays and being faced with the range available at the moment was daunting. The service and assistance that Jody provided me was outstanding and very much appreciated. Jody took it as just being his role but let me assure you he certainly did more than that.
I can remember going to the "original" shop in Kingsgrove in the early 80's as a schoolboy to get kitted up. Then my years at West's Harry again came to the rescue when I shattered my wrist. He got me back playing earlier by having a bat shaved to a lighter weight so I could pick it up. It was these moments that kept me returning to the shop. This level of service and assistance was maintained last week by Jody in such a way I had to write and let you know.
Steve Mooney – Bowral NSW
