Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Heat will be on the road to success in the wake of signing a two-year sponsorship agreement with first-time partner Ward.
Ward, a leading, multi-faceted civil and environmental engineering contractor, was announced today as the match day partner of the WBBL Heat’s historic Weber Women’s Big Bash League match at the Gabba on Saturday 9 November.
The WBBL Gabba Smash, presented by Ward, will feature the Heat taking on the defending champion Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba in a night fixture, the first time they will have played in prime time under lights at the venue.
The WBBL Heat and Queensland Fire women’s teams will also carry Ward branding on their playing apparel this season, the first time the company has been involved in cricket sponsorship.
The Fire open their Women’s National Cricket League season next week at Allan Border Field when they take on NSW on Friday 27 and Sunday 29 September and then host Western Australia on Thursday 3 October and Saturday 6 October.
Ward, which commenced operations in Sydney in 1973, has been a sponsor of the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW since 2018.
Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson welcomed Ward to the State.
“The WBBL Heat and Queensland Fire have proven to be outstanding role models and advocates for women and girl’s sport, and we are thrilled that Ward have chosen to partner with us,’’ he said.
“Their partnership track record shows they are very attuned to the importance of sport within our communities, and we see there is strong alignment between us.
“We are excited at the prospect of attracting a big crowd to the Gabba for the Heat’s WBBL game and look forward to working alongside Ward to make the most of what will be a very special event for Queensland Cricket,” Svenson said.
Ward Group CEO Julia Ward said today:
“After opening our office in Brisbane earlier this year we were looking for the right fit for Ward to partner in women’s sport in Queensland,” she said.
“Queensland Cricket has given us an excellent opportunity through our sponsorship, not just for brand exposure but also for participation across the breadth of women’s cricket throughout the State”.
“Ward is excited to support the WBBL Heat and Queensland Fire teams, the pathways program and regional and community initiatives undertaken by Queensland Cricket to help continue to grow the women’s game”.
“We are also proud to be involved with the Queensland Cricket Foundation, helping to make cricket more accessible to those less fortunate,” she said.
As well as the WBBL Gabba Smash presented by Ward, the Heat will also play three WBBL home games at Allan Border Field, taking on the Renegades (30 October), Stars (Nov 22) and Sixers (Nov 24).
WBBL and BBL tickets for the Heat are on sale now through Ticketek and at https://www.brisbaneheat.com.au/tickets
Fans are encouraged to buy early and save, with early bird prices available until November 14 for BBL tickets and October 10 for WBBL tickets.
WBBL|10 Brisbane Heat squad: Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey (India), Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Mikayla Wrigley.
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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.
