Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Two-year deal spans all four Cricket NSW brands
Sydney Thunder and Cricket NSW’s other elite teams, the Blues, Breakers and Sydney Sixers have partnered with the Office of Responsible Gambling to promote awareness of gambling harm and let fans enjoy their sport free of gambling advertising.
The two-year GambleAware partnership spans all four CNSW brands and prevents CNSW from having any partnership with sports betting or gambling businesses.
GambleAware will take up Presenting Partner rights to one Thunder and one Sixers match this season as well as offering education sessions to all CNSW, Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers staff and players to promote awareness of gambling related harm.
CNSW CEO Lee Germon said the organisation is delighted to commence a meaningful, socially responsible partnership to raise awareness about gambling, and counter the normalisation of sports betting.
“We are a purpose and values-based organisation and we are very happy to be able to partner with another organisation that brings a high level of social responsibility,” Germon said.
“Our clubs offer a family friendly environment and the stance we have taken to say no to partnerships with sports betting or gambling businesses aligns directly with that family first platform.
“The fact we are also able to provide education to our staff and players about responsible gambling helps in our objective of being a values-driven organisation.”
Chair of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund, John Dalzell, said Cricket NSW has taken a leadership role and a principled ‘no gambling advertising or sponsorship’ stance that will provide a more family friendly experience at NSW Big Bash League events.
“Young people are under immense pressure to fit in and are more likely to take up gambling if they consider it to be a normal part of sport and they assume that everyone’s doing it,” Mr Dalzell said.
“Having matches free of gambling advertising means families can reclaim the game and go back to enjoying sport without the concern that children are being constantly exposed to sports betting promotions.
“It will remove the assumption that gambling is a normal part of cricket and it will refocus attention back on the game and the players; the way it should be.”
Sydney Thunder is set to open its WBBL|06 season with a blockbuster Sydney Smash against crosstown rivals the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on 25 October.
Sydney Thunder WBBL|06 Tickets
Sunday 25 October | Vs Sydney Sixers | North Sydney Oval | 1:45PM
Saturday 31 October | Vs Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 12:15PM
Sunday 1 November | Vs Brisbane Heat | Sydney Showground Stadium | 10:20AM
Wednesday 4 November | Vs Perth Scorchers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 2:30PM
Wednesday 11 November | Vs Brisbane Heat | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05PM
Saturday 14 November | Vs Melbourne Stars | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:05PM
Sunday 15 November | Vs Perth Scorchers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 10:20AM
Wednesday 18 November | Vs Sydney Sixers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05PM
Sydney Thunder Memberships
Members of the Thunder Nation will get free entry to crowd-friendly Thunder WBBL|06 matches.
Memberships start from $40 and offer access to a host of new benefits and exclusive discounts. View all packages here.
For more information or to join the Thunder Nation, please contact our Membership Team on 02 8302 6092.
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
