Cricket champs success to attract more events

The City of Greater Geraldton are set to attract more high-quality sporting events to the region after the success of the recent Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships. Picture: Arctic Moon Photography

After the success of the recent Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships, the City of Greater Geraldton is set to attract more high-quality sporting events to the region.

The 10-day tournament saw the local economy benefitting from 500 people staying in Geraldton with the total economic output estimated at $1.1 million.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said hosting the Championships was another step closer to securing more sporting events.

“We are continuing to showcase ourselves as a destination that can host top-notch sporting events and this is the perfect example alongside last year’s AFL pre-season Derby match,” he said.

“It will open up a lot more opportunities for us to host other nation-wide cricket competitions and we are currently in talks with the WACA regarding the possibility of a regional Big Bash match here in Geraldton.

“We have proved that we have top-class facilities to hold these kinds of events and we look forward to bringing more to our region as we know how invaluable the benefits are.”

The Championship Exhibition Match was well attended with nearly 600 people at Wonthella Oval taking in the action.

The tournament was delivered in partnership with Cricket Australia, Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) and the Geraldton Regional Cricket Board.

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Game and Market Development, Andrew Ingleton congratulated Geraldton on the event.

“We are very pleased to have brought the Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships to Geraldton. The city continues to establish itself as a destination of choice with a stunning Foreshore, excellent sporting venues and welcoming people,” he said.

“Geraldton is a wonderful place to visit, and these Country Cricket Championships have provided a great opportunity for many visitors to appreciate everything this town has to offer.

“The success of the competition comes down to the backing from state and regional associations and local communities off the field.  We could not run such an event without the outstanding contribution and support of the local cricket community and our event partners, namely, the City of Greater Geraldton, Toyota, Kookaburra, the Geraldton Cricket Board, Gatorade, Sanitarium, umpires and officials.”

Mayor Van Styn added that the event was a great example of local clubs and boards working in conjunction with the City and outside parties.

“We were very lucky to work alongside Cricket Australia, the WACA and also our Geraldton Regional Cricket Board,” he said.

“A lot of hard work and effort was put in from a lot of our local clubs and it is a testament to the great outcomes that can come from collaborations like this one.”