Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
In the dynamic landscape of cricket, various elements come together to nurture the game’s growth and inspire younger generations.
Through local community carnivals, professional player club visits, and exhilarating Brisbane Heat match days at Allan Border Field and the Gabba, cricket’s allure expands, fostering a fresh wave of fans and participants.
Throughout her career at Queensland Cricket/Brisbane Heat, Taylor Williams, Marketing Manager has played a part in the prominence of women’s professional cricket, consequently fostering growth in entry-level cricket.
Taylor’s career at the Brisbane Heat began in 2015, coinciding with the inaugural season of the Women’s Big Bash League. “It was an exciting time to join the cricket community as we set forth to grow the profile of women’s cricket and bring new audiences into the game”.
“It’s been inspiring to see how the WBBL has positively impacted grassroots participation among women and girls over the past nine seasons.”
For the last 3 years, Taylor has been particularly instrumental in the creation of world-class entertainment at Brisbane Heat match days.
“From innovative pyrotechnic and lighting displays during innings breaks to hosting music festivals fused with Big Bash games, our aim is to create memorable experiences for fans of all ages.”
Combining off-field entertainment with the exceptional athleticism displayed by Brisbane Heat players on the field serves as a powerful inspiration for the next generation of cricket enthusiasts.
“Watching these big ideas come to life and seeing the joy that the brand brings to our family-oriented fan base is without a doubt one of the best parts of my role.”
Throughout Taylor’s tenure with the Brisbane Heat, the transition of women’s cricket from a semi-professional status to a fully professional one holds significance, especially regarding its influence on grassroots involvement.
“It’s inspiring to know that in 2024, a young girl registering at her local cricket club can look to the WBBL and its international equivalents around the world and know that there is a career pathway in professional sport for her to aspire to.”
“It’s true that “you can’t be what you can’t see” and the WBBL stands as a powerful testament to the positive outcomes that come from elevating the profile of women’s sport.”
While there has been tremendous progress over the past decade, there’s always more we can do to foster a welcoming environment for women and girls in our community.
“I’d like to continue playing my part by searching for ways to grow and amplify the profile of the WBBL and our female athletes and continue to create a game day environment for both WBBL and BBL were women and girls can enjoy great entertainment while feeling safe, welcome and celebrated!”
Name of Author: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat are an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL), representing both men’s and women’s cricket. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, the Heat succeeded the Queensland Bulls, who played in the former KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The team wears a teal uniform and plays at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba.
