Stadium bond still strong a decade on
BELLERIVE Oval will continue to be officially known as Blundstone Arena for the foreseeable future after Cricket Tasmania announced it had renewed its long-time partnership with the iconic Australian brand.
On Wednesday, exactly 10 years to the day that Blundstone gained the official naming rights of the venue, it was announced the partnership would continue for a further three years.
Blundstone Australia joint-chief executive Adam Blake said renewing the partnership was an easy decision.
“As an iconic Tasmanian family-owned company with a global footprint in over 70 countries today, to support a world-class sporting facility in our hometown is a no-brainer for us,” Blake said.
“Over the last 10 years we set out on this partnership not just about having a name on an arena but it was really about driving grassroots participation in cricket around the state and we know that’s nearly doubled in the last 10 years.
“Seeing the BBL and WBBL, the Hobart Hurricanes, as well as AFL fixtures being hosted at the Blundstone Arena certainly makes
us proud, but the true value for us remains to be able to support grassroots sport across the state for all levels and abilities and provide Tasmanians access to world-class events.”
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker was excited to see the partnership with Blundstone continue.
“This deal is a great indication of Blundstone’s support of community, support of sport, and support of entertainment and for them to be a part of the arena, not just for the past 10 years, but for the foreseeable future I think is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“We are so excited to be
going into another three-year agreement and, as I said, for Tasmanians this fine arena stays Blundstone Arena for another three years and not just local sport and national sport but international sport will be brought to this ground over that period.”
While Blundstone Arena will be centre stage on October 14 when it hosts the opening match of the WBBL season, Baker said the venue would be bidding to host any major cricket matches that could potentially be moved due to Covid restrictions.
“We are prepared and ready to go. As you can see, the ground looks in spectacular
condition so if other cricket came our way we would be grabbing it with both hands,” he said.
“We are always letting Cricket Australia know we are a stadium that is ready, willing, and able, and that Blundstone Arena is ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“I think it (an Ashes Test) would be huge for Tasmanian sport to have the eyes of the world on Tasmania and Blundstone Arena for four or five days. It would be absolutely exceptional.
“We will continue to work with Cricket Australia and they will make the final decision.”