Magnificent Cairns fans are a Bash hit
LOYAL sports fans in Cairns have again shown their support for elite contests, turning out in force to watch the city’s first WBBL match on the weekend.
A crowd of 4673 vocal supporters were at Cazalys Stadium on Saturday night to watch Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder do battle in a gripping contest.
Gary Young, managing director of AFL Cairns, the venue provider, said the local community showed there was a great interest in cricket, particularly the shorter format, as well as sports in general. “It’s a big positive,” he said. “I think the Big Bash spectacle is what people come to see – they’re going to be entertained, the game will be decided on the night and it’s not too late for families to come out with their kids.
“I think it’s a terrific way to go, in terms of general interest in watching an elite sporting match. If we had another game, I’m not sure we would’ve got that number.”
The match was the last of a three-year deal with Cricket Australia bringing games to Cairns, but after Saturday’s healthy crowd and feedback from the teams, a case could be made for top-tier cricket to return to Cairns in the future.
“(The teams) were very happy with the facilities, the playing surface and presentation of the wicket – one of the coaching staff from Sydney said they’d be happy to play here every week of the year,” Young said.
“These are clubs that are used to playing at the Gabba or the SCG and for them to come up here and make those statements about a regional sporting facility is just terrific.”
Norths senior cricketer Sean Lord said having the women’s game in Cairns was a huge win for local cricket fans.
His daughter, Georgia, 8, plays cricket through the Junior Blasters program and was given a cap by Heat opener Grace Harris as she ran out on to the field.
“The fact the teams go to regional areas is just great, it really does bring the community together,” he said. “They’re great role models for the kids.”
Cricket fan Josh Huggins had the best spot in the stadium, on the pool deck, and he hoped the WBBL brought another game to Cairns.
“I work in the pool industry, so it was great to have a chance to relax in one and watch the game,” he said.
Mr Huggins’ six-year-old daughter was among the fans and her proud dad said she could be a future WBBL player.
Mr Huggins’s father scored the poolside tickets from a promotion on Facebook.