Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars will make their WBBL debut in Moe this season as part of a new four-match WBBL festival hosted in the state’s east.
In a first for women’s cricket in the region, the Stars will be joined by the Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes for a weekend festival of WBBL at Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve on October 23 and 24.
Delivered with the support of the Victorian Government and the Latrobe City Council, the weekend of world-class cricket is expected to deliver a tourism boost for Gippsland in addition to inspiring the next generation of women and girls to participate in cricket.
The Stars will face the Brisbane Heat on the Saturday before taking on the Hobart Hurricanes on the Sunday.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP said “Ted Summerton’s upgraded facilities and oval are the perfect venue for locals and visitors to watch big names like home-grown hero Nicole Faltum – what better way to inspire our next generation of WBBL stars as our investment in first-rate events and competition for the Valley continues.”
Melbourne Stars wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum hails from Moe and said she was excited to see the club continue to embrace regional communities.
“It’s not often that you get to play a home game where you grew up so I’m pretty excited about having many friends and family at our weekend in Moe in October,” Faltum said.
“Given we were away in the Sydney hub for all of last year’s tournament, we’re really looking forward to getting back in front of our home Victorian fans and getting that support which we really feed off on to the field.”
Latrobe City Council Mayor Cr Sharon Gibson said “Council is delighted to once again be hosting a national cricketing event. The community loved coming out to watch and support the Big Bash league on previous occasions, and I have no doubt that they will be welcoming again as they watch some of the best cricketers in Australia take to the field in Latrobe City.”
“This is an opportunity to showcase the marvellous sporting facility that we have in Ted Summerton Reserve and for the people of Latrobe City and broader Gippsland to enjoy elite sport close to home,” Cr Gibson said.
The Stars have previously hosted two BBL games in Moe in 2019.
Melbourne Stars Interim General Manager Blair Crouch said the Gippsland community were in for a fantastic weekend.
“The WBBL is the best domestic T20 cricket competition for women in the world. I know our captain Meg Lanning and the entire playing group are looking forward to getting down here and hopefully coming away with two wins,” Crouch said.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn profile photo of Blair Crouch
“I’d like to express our thanks to the Victorian Government for their support for women’s cricket and hosting events in regional Victoria. Together with our fantastic partners at the Latrobe City Council, we are committed to superb showcase of family entertainment in October. Together, we know the positive impact the Melbourne Stars can make on the Moe and Gippsland communities and the local economy.”
Ticket details for these matches will be confirmed in due course.
WBBL Moe Festival – Ted Summerton Reserve
Saturday 23 October
10.15am – Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes
2.00pm – Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat
Sunday 24 October
10.15am – Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat
2.00pm – Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes
