Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat thanks the Cairns Regional Council, fans, media, and the community of Cairns for supporting the club’s first KFC Big Bash League home game in North Queensland.
The Heat hosted the Melbourne Renegades at Cazalys Stadium last night and were welcomed to a boisterous and full stadium, with excellent playing and training facilities to match.
While the Heat were unable to chase down the Renegades’ target of 166, the club will leave the tropics with community, participation and fan engagement outcomes having been achieved.
With an eye on inspiring the next generation of participants and fans, the Heat squad spent two days leading into the game in the community, helping with junior clinics and the Bulls Masters Under 16 Country Challenge carnival.
Heat coaches gave their community counterparts an inside view into preparations for a big tournament with behind-the-scenes insights.
Brisbane Heat and QLD Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said the Heat will continue taking BBL and WBBL games to regional Queensland as part of club’s strategy to inspire boys and girls to play cricket.
“The Brisbane Heat’s first BBL game in Cairns has been many months in the making, and we sincerely thanks Cairns Mayor Bob Manning and the Cairns Regional Council for their support in making this match happen.
“While we were unable to get home against the Renegades, we leave Cairns knowing we have succeeded in providing great experiences for our fans in North Queensland, which we hope will leave a lasting legacy for cricket in the region.
“We’d also like to thank Cazalys Stadium General Manager Craig Lees and his team who have been wonderful to work with and provided our players with fantastic training and playing facilities.
“We are looking forward to continue playing elite cricket in regional Queensland and giving fans across Queensland the opportunity to see their heroes play live.”
The Heat’s inaugural Cairns match takes the club’s 2022-23 footprint to four cities having already played WBBL games in Mackay and Brisbane, with upcoming BBL games still to come at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Heat are next in action on Wednesday December 21 against the Renegades in Geelong, before hosting the Adelaide Striker at the Gabba on Friday December 23.
The Heat will play seven home games across Cazalys Stadium, the Gabba and Metricon Stadium, with this summer’s schedule including the New Year’s Bash January 1 match at the Gabba.
Heat memberships and public tickets are on sale now through Ticketek for the BBL this summer.
