This season more than any has seen great success for the men’s team, who sit atop the ladder and look to bring Tasmania its first ever championship.

The success has been shared across the state, with games being played in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

In Launceston, the Hurricanes played two games per team during the 2018/2019 season at University of Tasmania Stadium. 

The men’s games drew a huge crowd with the second match between the Hurricanes and the Adelaide Strikers drawing 13,836 spectators - their highest home attendance this season.

A total of 26,291 people came to the two men’s games.

UTAS Stadium manager Robert Groenewegen said Launceston had a thirst for Big Bash games and the city has fully embraced the club. 

“I think having the Hurricanes coming statewide has been a great thing for them and obviously terrific for us in the north of the state,” he said.

“On top of that they’re a fantastic team who are having a fantastic season so add that all up and it explains why.”

With games only lasting about three hours in the twenty-20 format, Mr Groenewegen said Big Bash was a great way for newcomers to see the sport.

“A lot of people who probably have never attended the venue before or perhaps been to a game of cricket before are certainly taken with the 20/20 concept and yeah, it’s been really exciting for us to be involved,” he said.

Hurricanes general manager Phil Rigby said it was important for the Hurricanes to be featured statewide as a representation of Tasmania as a whole.

“It was critical, it’s at the core of our strategy to be Tasmania’s team,” Mr Rigby said.

“The best way to live that vision is to play games all around the state.

“[It’s] critically important for boys and girls to see their heroes in the flesh, and our guys do the best to try and give back and put on a show for the fans.”

The women’s game against the Brisbane Heat in December 2018 received an average televised viewership of 433,000 people – one of the highest viewed WBBL games this season.

Later that night the Hurricanes played the Perth Scorchers in Launceston in front of a televised audience that peaked at 1.2 million viewers.

“In terms of exposure for Launceston that is just awesome, so we’re really thrilled about that,” Mr Groenewegen said.

But the Hurricanes also had an impact outside the stadium, with the tourism industry relishing in what the games brought to the city.

Tourism Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said that with weekday games, visitors were invited to spend longer in Launceston.

“They’re [visitors] essentially guaranteed to be over-nighting and staying a bit longer and doing things the next day in and around the city and region so that’s the most attractive thing,” he said.

“It also reinforces Launceston as the event capital of Tasmania in terms of sporting events and cultural events.” 

Mr Griffin also said that Launceston had an advantage in being able to commit to one major event at a time.

“The city fully embraces it, it is not just another event on the calendar,” he said.

“It is the number one thing that we’re [the city] gonna focus on and celebrate whilst it is here.”

As well as entertaining attendees, the Hurricanes’ community engagement has played a vital role in their success in the north.

So called ‘super clinics’ were held in Launceston and Latrobe around the games played at UTAS Stadium.

“Another great experience for boys and girls to meet their heroes and also learn skills in cricket and build that passion and love for the game,” Mr Rigby said.

Mr Groenewegen also said the Big Bash was a great way to get kids engaged in cricket and sport.

“As spectators, if you look around at any BBL game really the amount of kids who are at the games is phenomenal so it's all about families,” he said.

With talks already underway on making sure Launceston secures two Big Bash games for next season, organisers are hoping to keep up recent success.

“The main thing for us at the moment is to make sure we really present the venue in it’s best light and hopefully people will come and enjoy the event and more importantly become Hurricanes members,” Mr Groenewegen said.

“If things transpire that they were looking at a third we’ll certainly talk about it. 

“It’s not something we’re actively chasing I think this to me feels about the right number at the moment.”

When asked about the possibility of Launceston getting it’s own Big Bash team, Mr Groenewegen said Tasmania’s market is better suited to house one team.

“I just think we should be a one state franchise with the Hurricanes, people don’t have a problem embracing them up here,” he said. 

“We’re really comfortable about the way things are going.”

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