Simonds Stadium our new global stage
KARDINIA Park Stadium Trust was formed earlier this year and is similar to the trust business models at the MCG and Melbourne Olympic Park. The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust has brought together a professional team of industry experts that will take the stadium to the next level of facilities and sports management, as well as providing greater service levels for spectators and competitors alike.
Improving the fan experience through innovation and technology, improving service levels and delivering better environmental efficiencies are all part of future-proofing the stadium. We are committed to ensuring the future success of our major tenants and hirers.
Our responsibilities would not be complete without embracing and supporting the community by further enhancing the social interaction of the venue and creating a positive economic impact from major events held there.
One major area the trust has already been involved in is with the procurement of major events.
We have already showcased Atletico de Madrid and Melbourne Victory at the stadium and we recently announced the T20 international cricket fixture between Australia and Sri Lanka for February 19, 2017.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance around what an event like the T20 international can do for the City of Greater Geelong and G21 region.
We are being acknowledged the opportunity to now stage world-class events in a stadium that is arguably being recognised as the best regional stadium facility in the country.
To win the rights to host the T20 international is one thing, but it is also presents a great opportunity for Geelong to be a part of supporting a blockbuster event.
To be recognised as a regional city with the capacity to host major international events such as the T20 cricket also means we as a community have the responsibility to ensure the event is sellout. We need to show Geelong can deliver successful events with sellout crowds to international events.
T20 is an amazing concept that has taken the cricket world by storm. Geelong’s T20 cricket event presents as an affordable fun day out. From the festival of flavours recognising international foods to Cricket Australia’s external fan zone area allowing children — and adults for that matter — to soak up its history and to learn further what cricket is all about. Being able to engage with interactive displays and past and present players just adds to the carnival atmosphere that is T20 cricket.
This double-header is also of great interest as it will feature the Australian women’s Southern Stars T20 team playing against New Zealand. The profile of women’s cricket is on the rise and the skill set of these athletes is to be admired and supported.
It is with appreciation I thank the Geelong community for seeing the importance of and supporting major events that are brought to Geelong, and I look forward to being a part of next February’s T20 crowd at Simonds Stadium.