Minister for Sport and Recreation JANE HOWLETT
EDITORIAL
Delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy Our Government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy, and importantly, provide pathways for local sports men, women and children. The Premier has recently sent a letter to Craig Phillips, Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive Officer, formally requesting that Tasmania be given consideration to play a part as a host State for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We are confident that we can work collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia on the opportunities Tasmania presents as either a host or co-host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Tasmania has clearly demonstrated our ability to deliver elite sporting content. Hobart’s Blundstone Arena recently played host to the Fifth Ashes Test. This historic Test Match gave Tasmania international exposure as a premiere destination for sporting events. For an aspiring young Tasmanian cricketer to have been given the chance to head along and watch some of the world’s best players competing in an historic Ashes Test match on their home soil it was the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s an opportunity that could have very well inspired the next Ricky Ponting, David Boon or Kristen Beams and is one of the main reasons our Government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy.
After the anticipation built across the State, it was finally Tasmania’s time to host the biggest sporting event we have ever seen, and we pulled it off. This is something all Tasmanians should be extremely proud of. While play only lasted three days, the atmosphere over those three days was electric. I was lucky enough to be one of thousands of fans who got to witness history when the first ball was bowled on day one, and it’s something I will never forget. The fifth Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena also represented a great outcome for our local economy and brought in around $27 million worth of economic benefit, with our State on display across television screens in every cricket-loving nation around the world. There is no doubt that this momentous occasion helped to grow the great game of cricket in Tasmania and stand the sport in great stead for years to come. In 2021, Tasmania successfully hosted a record 14 AFL matches, including two Elimination Finals, and the first 20 matches of the 2021 Women’s Big Bash League. Furthermore, Tasmania will soon host to two WNBL matches between the Bendigo Spirit and Southside Flyers along with a string of A-League games at UTAS Stadium. Later this year, Hobart will play host to nine ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches, further highlighting our State’s ability to hold major sporting events. We know that sport is the lifeblood of communities across Tasmania and our Government will continue to support and invest in sport to build healthier and more active communities.
Hospitality Review: February 2022 27
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