Launceston will host two Big Bash League games in the 2018-19 season after Cricket Tasmania secured funding from the council.
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City of Launceston approved at its meeting on Monday to fund $50,000 towards two Big Bash League games, to be held at University of Tasmania stadium.
The state government also pledged $200,000 to help secure the BBL games to Launceston as well as a womens’ Big Bash League game for the North-West Coast at the election.
Aldermen voted unanimously to grant the funding to Cricket Tasmania subject to conditions including:
- additional signage and branding opportunities during the game located in broadcast areas;
- City of Launceston co-branding on the Hurricane Alley activation area;
- City of Launceston co-branding on the Launceston Super Clinics; establishment of a joint marketing committee to develop a marketing and communications strategy and monitor implementation
The motion was moved by deputy mayor Rob Soward and seconded by Alderman Janie Finlay.
“I am very excited to see this in front of us today,” Alderman Soward said.
“The feedback we received from the event was nothing but positive.
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“The Big Bash League is something that is growing and I am of the opinion that when we are approached with things to support, it’s good sense to support things that are growing, and this is one of them,” he said.
Alderman Finlay said UTAS Stadium had established itself as a “tier-one cricket centre” for these types of games.
“It’s an absolute clear choice,” she said.
Despite the motion being unanimously approved, aldermen Hugh McKenzie, Danny Gibson and Robin McKendrick raised concerns about ensuring measurable outcomes were in place for any future funding agreement.
“The first $25,000 I was happy with, the second $25,000 I was less happy with,” Alderman McKenzie said.
“We need to put specific KPIs in place, some measurable outcomes to make sure we can say we met the conditions.”
Alderman Gibson said he hoped the funding approval would come with it a detailed funding agreement.
He also said the future success of the events was reliant on having the best people in place to form the marketing committee.
Alderman McKendrick said it was important to refine the details of the agreement but the deal was exciting for Launceston.
“It shows it is important that Cricket Tasmania recognise to bring it [BBL] out of Hobart and bring it to the best stadium in Tasmania.”