Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket
Queensland Cricket stars will lend their profiles to promoting two major initiatives in regional Queensland this week.
Queensland Bulls, Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat players will attend events in Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns as part of the Brisbane Heat Summer of Cricket Launch and Regional Tour, brought to you by StreetSmarts.
StreetSmarts is a social change program of the Queensland Government helping everyone become smarter and safer on the roads.
The events will help drive promotions for Play Cricket month, where players are encouraged to sign-on to play with their local clubs.
Players such as Australian women’s allrounder Jess Jonassen, Bulls and Heat pace bowler Xavier Bartlett, Australian limited overs paceman Billy Stanlake and WBBL Heat championship winner Georgia Prestwidge will join with Queensland Cricket staff to visit 25 clubs across the regions as well as allow up to 2000 school children to have the opportunity to meet some of Queensland’s sporting heroes in their hometowns.
The players and staff will also promote road safety messages at each appearance, with children given helpful hints on how to stay safe, as well as promoting a range of wider messaging about reducing the road toll in Queensland.
Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said TMR was proud to partner with Queensland Cricket.
“Cricket is a fantastic sport, and this is a great way to help kids understand that how they get home is as important as taking the field,” Mr Saunders said.
“Tragically this year’s road toll is far too high, but we are doing our bit to improve road safety.
“The Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $1.7 billion over the next four years in road safety projects and programs, toughening drink driving laws, and introducing cameras to target distracted drivers and those speeding in school zones.
“These measures support our young cricketers to get home safely so they and their teammates can get back on strike for another innings.
“This message is especially important for older kids when they get their licence. Answering that text or drinking and driving is simply not worth the damage it can do to you and your community.”
Queensland Cricket staff launched Play Cricket month today in Biloela and Thangool and will travel to Rockhampton tomorrow where they will visit Frenchville State School during the day.
Frenchville Sports Club will host the local Summer of Cricket launch tomorrow night, with representatives from all six Rockhampton Cricket Clubs in attendance.
WBBL Heat and Queensland Fire captain Jess Jonassen and her Queensland and Heat teammate Charli Knott will help to launch activities in Mackay on Wednesday
Jonassen and Knott, who played her junior cricket in Mackay, will attend Mercy College between 1pm and 2pm before being guests at the Mackay District Schools Cup at Harrup Park between 3pm and 4pm where seven local schools will compete.
The duo will then headline the Mackay Summer of Cricket launch at Harrup Park between 4pm and 6pm, with representatives from the eight local clubs attending to promote PlayCricket month and sign-ons.
Finally, Jonassen and Knott will meet with 15 local female cricketers as part of the QC Ambassador Program Presentation that will focus on leadership and goal-setting.
Separately on Wednesday, there will also be cricket launches in Monto and Mundubbera.
On Thursday, Heat and Bulls fast bowler Xavier Bartlett and Heat and Fire pace bowler Courtney Sippel will be in Townsville as part of the Summer of Cricket Regional Tour brought to you by StreetSmarts.
The players will pay a visit to the Burdekin Schools Cup at Ayr Cricket Ground, which features five schools playing matches during the day until 2.30p.
They will then be special guests at the Summer of Cricket Season Launch between 5pm and 7pm at Riverway Stadium in Townsville, with club representatives and players from the six Townsville Cricket clubs attending.
Queensland fast bowler Billy Stanlake and Queensland Fire and WBBL Heat seamer Georgia Prestwidge will be in Cairns on Friday, featuring visits to the Douglas School Cup at the Mossman Showgrounds and Atherton School Cup at Morrow Park at Tolga during the day.
They will then join with representatives from 10 local clubs to hold the Summer of Cricket Launch at Griffiths Park until 7pm.
Media opportunities will be available at the start of each of the Summer of Cricket Launches in Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. Media are asked to register their interest with Stephen Gray at Queensland Cricket through email below.
Play Cricket Month is a national initiative supported by Cricket Australia promoting entry-level, including the popular Woolworths Cricket Blast programs, junior, and senior club cricket registration.
Head to playcricket.com.au to find out how you can play the game at your nearest club or centre.
