The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of all Tasmanians being actively involved in sport and the Hobart Hurricanes are fantastic role models at the elite WBBL level.
Tonight, at the newly named University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston, it will be my honour to toss the coin for the clash between the Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League.
Sponsorship of the stadium by the University of Tasmania complements the $260m Northern Inveresk campus expansion which will transform Launceston and offer numerous career opportunities for future generations
It is fantastic that Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia appreciates the merit of playing this game in the sports-rich Launceston region, which has produced many of Australia’s most outstanding sportspeople.
It is all about young women seeing top flight women’s cricket first hand and aspiring to that level.
I’m delighted to champion these matches and urge Northern Tasmanian women and girls to embrace the challenge and shoot for the stars.
Today I joined Hurricanes captain Heather Knight, coach Julia Price and the rest of the team in the Launceston Mall promoting the game and talking to local youngsters about WBBL.
Heather, who is also captain of the English team, is a great example of an elite sportswoman who has used her talent and professionalism to tour the world playing cricket. That same opportunity is available for young Tasmanian females.
The Tasmanian Government, through Communities Sport and Recreation, actively supports Cricket Tasmania with $560,000 in 2017, which included programs to increase female participation.
The Australian Cricket Census in 2015/16 revealed 38,205 Tasmanians played cricket with females making up 10,883 – a 15 per cent increase. The participation rate amongst girls between 5 and 12 has increased by 20 per cent.
Women’s cricket has taken huge steps in recent years in terms of media coverage, pay levels and professionalism and I urge all Tasmanians to get behind our women’s Hurricanes team tonight and enjoy all the benefits that come from supporting and participating in sport.
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