BBL Big Bash League Expansion Thread

[Howard Littlejohn]

The problem is that outside of the WACA and the new stadium there is no stadium in Western Australia that meets minimal standards to host professional events.

Alice Springs does because having like 15% of the Territory's population, it gets a lot of pork barreling for a city of its size.

The next biggest city after Perth-Fremantle is Bunbury. After that Albany or Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which from memory only comes in at about 30,000 (Devonport or Warnambool size). Probably roughly the same as the Alice, but facilities are going to be an issue. Are there evenn turh pitches, much less crowd facilities, in these places? Kalgoorlie has (had?) a decent footy league, so probably has one good oval that could cater for a few thousand easily enough.

 

[Hellgood]

The next biggest city after Perth-Fremantle is Bunbury. After that Albany or Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which from memory only comes in at about 30,000 (Devonport or Warnambool size). Probably roughly the same as the Alice, but facilities are going to be an issue. Are there evenn turh pitches, much less crowd facilities, in these places? Kalgoorlie has (had?) a decent footy league, so probably has one good oval that could cater for a few thousand easily enough.

No need to be condescending "are there even turf pitches"..

Would wager around 75% of even the tiny towns in rural WA would have a turf wicket. Not exactly sure on figures but when I was a kid Albany would've had five or six.

 

[The_Reaper]

The next biggest city after Perth-Fremantle is Bunbury. After that Albany or Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which from memory only comes in at about 30,000 (Devonport or Warnambool size). Probably roughly the same as the Alice, but facilities are going to be an issue. Are there evenn turh pitches, much less crowd facilities, in these places? Kalgoorlie has (had?) a decent footy league, so probably has one good oval that could cater for a few thousand easily enough.

Turf facilities isn't the issue.

Crowd, vendor facilities, practice wickets and media facilities are.

The fact that BBL matches would be guaranteed for Bunbury will hopefully sort that out soon.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

No need to be condescending "are there even turf pitches"..

Would wager around 75% of even the tiny towns in rural WA would have a turf wicket. Not exactly sure on figures but when I was a kid Albany would've had five or six.

I was thinking more of Kalgoorlie with that question. Apparently some of the larger places in the north (Broome, Port Hedaland) do not. Turf pitches are expensive and I imagine even moreso in conditions of extreme heat.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

The next biggest city after Perth-Fremantle is Bunbury. After that Albany or Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which from memory only comes in at about 30,000 (Devonport or Warnambool size). Probably roughly the same as the Alice, but facilities are going to be an issue. Are there evenn turh pitches, much less crowd facilities, in these places? Kalgoorlie has (had?) a decent footy league, so probably has one good oval that could cater for a few thousand easily enough.

$20 million sporting complex just opened with full turf wicket block - Council is supposedly bidding for the Shield game in coming years. Two pretty solid country footy ovals in Sir Richard Moore (Kalgoorlie) and Digger Daws (Boulder) as well.

 

[The_Reaper]

$20 million sporting complex just opened with full turf wicket block - Council is supposedly bidding for the Shield game in coming years. Two pretty solid country footy ovals in Sir Richard Moore (Kalgoorlie) and Digger Daws (Boulder) as well.

Would rather Kalgoorlie host than Alice.

 

[The_Reaper]

I was thinking more of Kalgoorlie with that question. Apparently some of the larger places in the north (Broome, Port Hedaland) do not. Turf pitches are expensive and I imagine even moreso in conditions of extreme heat.

Broome and Port Hedland have like 10k people. They're not really good comparisons to Kalgoorlie.

 

[Van_Dyke]

Apparently some of the larger places in the north (Broome, Port Hedaland)

Hedland and Broome are too small to justify having a place with the necessary facilities. Only place north of Geraldton that possibly could would be Karratha, but don't think they have any at their 'lesuireplex'

 

[Kyptastic]

Based on this tweet from the Sixers, not every team may host a regional game

 

[ioppolo]

If that's the case, that's ****ed.

 

[The_Reaper]

If Sydney don't have to bring games to Newcastle, Canberra, Wollongong etc and we have to lose a game to easterners I will be mad.

 

[jackess]

Does channel 10 still have broadcasting rights for the next big bash?

 

[Cleavy]

Does channel 10 still have broadcasting rights for the next big bash?

Yes.

 

[Matchu]

Do we know where each team is going to play their regional games this coming season?

 

[Marklar_33]

Do we know where each team is going to play their regional games this coming season?

Hurricanes in Launceston, that's all I care for

 

[Underarm]

Based on this tweet from the Sixers, not every team may host a regional game

Stars seemed to imply the same thing for the MCG.

 

[The_Reaper]

If Melbourne and Sydney get 5 home games I'll be livid if Perth have to play in ****ing Alice Springs.

 

[ioppolo]

Regional? Nah we don't to.

Ok, here's an extra home game.

**** off.

 

[Docker82]

If Melbourne and Sydney get 5 home games I'll be livid if Perth have to play in ******* Alice Springs.

The article I read today good as confirms that we are getting an extra game in Perth.

The Renegades, Thunder and Strikers are the only ones with games up in the air from what I understand with Hobart already confirming Launceston as an additional venue. The fixture in question for the strikers is actually the fixture against the scorchers

 

[danstar]

Stars Sixers and I think heat all get additional home matches at there home grounds the rest of the comp has to suck up and travel to regional areas

 

[ioppolo]

Why can't the Heat play on the Gold Coast?

 

[Matchu]

Why can't the Heat play on the Gold Coast?

Metricon Stadium will go undergo renovations for the Commonwealth Games next year and won't be capable of hosting anything beyond August/September. Far more likely to see the Heat play a game on the Gold Coast in 2018-19 when the stadium is back up to scratch.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Metricon Stadium will go undergo renovations for the Commonwealth Games next year and won't be capable of hosting anything beyond August/September. Far more likely to see the Heat play a game on the Gold Coast in 2018-19 when the stadium is back up to scratch.

I don't imagine that Metricon is even fitted out for a drop in pitch is it?

I could be wrong, but I don't recall any cricket - first class or otherwise - being played at Metricon since it was renovated?

 

[Matchu]

I don't imagine that Metricon is even fitted out for a drop in pitch is it?

I could be wrong, but I don't recall any cricket - first class or otherwise - being played at Metricon since it was renovated?

They also upgraded the lights to the standard needed for cricket in the off season.

 

[The_Reaper]

I don't imagine that Metricon is even fitted out for a drop in pitch is it?

I could be wrong, but I don't recall any cricket - first class or otherwise - being played at Metricon since it was renovated?

Wouldn't have that Kardinia Park would be fitted out for a drop in pitch but it was.