i'll be there with bells on
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I'm sure he is, it's like a mini Grand Final!Huge news for the city of Gold Coast and for the Suns (finance wise, if nothing else). When you think about it, it is imperative that this international game be played in front of a full stadium to ensure Cricket Australia continues to push professional cricket in the Gold coast market. CA has essentially stripped Brisbane of an international slot in order to test the Gold Coast market so it's important for the community to show them why they should come back and I believe it is the first step towards the Gold Coast being granted its own BBL franchise.
If you care about the Suns long-term future, you should try to attend this game. I hope Mr Bods is rounding up the Titans fans for this clash as well.
I'm sure he is, it's like a mini Grand Final!
Huge news for the city of Gold Coast and for the Suns (finance wise, if nothing else). When you think about it, it is imperative that this international game be played in front of a full stadium to ensure Cricket Australia continues to push professional cricket in the Gold coast market. CA has essentially stripped Brisbane of an international slot in order to test the Gold Coast market so it's important for the community to show them why they should come back and I believe it is the first step towards the Gold Coast being granted its own BBL franchise.
If you care about the Suns long-term future, you should try to attend this game. I hope Mr Bods is rounding up the Titans fans for this clash as well.
CRICKET Australia boss James Sutherland has foreshadowed a growing role for the Gold Coast in Australian cricket, with the Big Bash League (BBL) to arrive as early as next season.
Hey The_Wookie, any chance you could post the below article that came out two hours ago?
Gold Coast cricket: CA boss outlines plan for more cricket on the Coast
Cheers mate. Really appreciate it.Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland foreshadows more cricket for the Gold Coast
CRICKET Australia boss James Sutherland has foreshadowed a growing role for the Gold Coast in Australian cricket, with the Big Bash League (BBL) to arrive as early as next season.
Sutherland fronted the media at Carrara yesterday to confirm the Coast’s first international fixture in November, with talk quickly turning to the potential arrival of BBL action.
Sutherland said Metricon Stadium’s rise as an international-standard venue, as well as the expansion of the BBL from 10 to 14 matches for each team, meant more elite cricket in the city was inevitable.
“From our perspective, we’re excited at the opportunity of playing BBL matches in different parts of the country,” he said.
“Obviously with the expansion of the league this year, each of the home teams will be looking for alternative places to play. It may be this year, it’s a possibility … but I think in the foreseeable future we are going to see Big Bash League cricket here now that we have the infrastructure.
“I can’t see a reason why not. It’s a very exciting time for the game. It really is a new era and … we’re very much looking forward to the summer ahead.”
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland inspects the drop-in pitch outside Metricon Stadium. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
The result of a collaboration between Cricket Australia, Gold Coast City Council and the Gold Coast Suns, November’s T20 international will use a $200,000 drop-in pitch.
Suns chief executive Mark Evans said it “makes sense that cricket expands into Australia’s sixth biggest city”.
“Hosting cricket at Metricon Stadium was front of mind in the early stages of redeveloping the facility and after working collaboratively with Cricket Australia over what amounts to nearly eight years, we’re excited to partner with Cricket Australia to deliver International Cricket to Metricon Stadium,” Evans said.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to invest heavily in our cricket infrastructure, including the curation of drop in wickets — a first for an international stadium in Queensland — installation of practice wickets within the Metricon Stadium precinct and resourcing our horticulture and ground staff to bring this opportunity to life.”
Gold Coast cricketers Michael Durbridge and Chris Swan. Picture: Scott Fletcher
Meanwhile, leading Gold Coast cricket figures have hailed the arrival of international action as a potential game-changer for the sport at the grassroots level.
As the city prepares for its maiden T20 international, the local cricket scene shapes as the big winner with a boost in participation numbers and supporter base.
Gold Coast Cricket junior director Gary Stimpson said the fixture “could only have a positive impact” on local cricket, while Surfers Paradise president and former Queensland Bull Chris Swan believes it could spark the next crop of Australian stars.
“Any exposure to the best cricketers in the world augers well for the future and sustainability of cricket on the Gold Coast. We’ve had Andrew Symonds and Scott Muller as Test players in the past so it’s fantastic Cricket Australia has recognised the Coast has an input into the long-term future of the game,” Swan said.
Queens first grade captain Michael Durbridge paid tribute to Gold Coast Dolphins president Jeff Pfaff for making his dream a reality.
“Jeff had the vision of bringing Twenty20 cricket (to the Coast),” Durbridge said.
“You look at what the Big Bash has done to cricket in Australia from a spectator participation perspective (has been huge). The effect of it probably won’t be felt for another 10 years but there’s nothing but good things could come from it.”
The Gold Coast Suns want their own Big Bash League franchise when the competition expands
THE first international T20 cricket match at Metricon Stadium will not generate a cent of profit and Suns CEO Mark Evans has warned it could be a one-off unless stadium running costs are slashed.
Australia will play South Africa at Metricon Stadium on November 17 in the first of what Cricket Australia hopes becomes regular International and Big Bash League matches on the Gold Coast.
Tourism and Infrastructure minister Kate Jones is also lobbying for the Gold Coast Suns to secure a BBL franchise when the competition is expanded.
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The Suns’ goal is to host one International and three BBL matches each year and eventually secure their own franchise as a way to offset the millions the club loses each year managing Metricon Stadium.
The Suns chipped in about $300,000 of the $1 million spent on the drop-in pitch, practice areas and new broadcast infrastructure.
Mark Evans has had his say on cricket at Metricon Stadium. Picture: AFL Media
Evans said it was “impossible” under the existing deal with Stadiums Queensland to recoup that investment and also make a profit from November’s T20 International.
“There will be no return on a single game, it is really all about paving the way and being a flagship for future events,’’ he said.
But he warned the review being undertaken by sports minister Mick de Brenni into Stadiums Queensland’s operating practices would have to lead to significant cuts to operating costs before the Suns committed to more cricket because the club and the AFL would not allow a situation where the football program was subsidising cricket.
“I would hope it doesn’t come to that because we certainly couldn’t afford to do that,’’ he said.
“There is a clear process ahead for me to try to bring more content to this stadium, it is not easy to make it work but in this case for this match we have found a way to do that.
“But the real challenge is to try and get a restructure of all the event costs and stadium costs to be able to attract more content.’’
Mrs Jones, who joined Evans and Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland for the announcement on the Gold Coast yesterday said the Government was committed to finding a solution to the stadiums drama that has engulfed all Queensland’s elite sporting clubs.
“When it comes to the operational costs of the stadiums, the sports minister is undertaking a review,’’ she said.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Getty Images
“This review is all about how we can grow content at our stadiums right across Queensland.’’
Sutherland confirmed the Gold Coast, which now has Queensland’s only drop-in pitch, was a priority venue for Cricket Australia.
“In the foreseeable future we are going to see BBL cricket here, now we have the infrastructure there is no reason why not,’’ he said.
Originally published as Suns eye future BBL franchise
Am I reading this correctly? They want to establish a Gold Coast Big Bash League team that would be nicknamed the Suns and wear red, gold and blue?The Gold Coast Suns want their own Big Bash League franchise when the competition expands
THE first international T20 cricket match at Metricon Stadium will not generate a cent of profit and Suns CEO Mark Evans has warned it could be a one-off unless stadium running costs are slashed.
Australia will play South Africa at Metricon Stadium on November 17 in the first of what Cricket Australia hopes becomes regular International and Big Bash League matches on the Gold Coast.
Tourism and Infrastructure minister Kate Jones is also lobbying for the Gold Coast Suns to secure a BBL franchise when the competition is expanded.
RISING SUN: SWALLOW FINDING HIS BEST FOOTY
RETURNING STAR: DAY BACK FROM THE BRINK
The Suns’ goal is to host one International and three BBL matches each year and eventually secure their own franchise as a way to offset the millions the club loses each year managing Metricon Stadium.
The Suns chipped in about $300,000 of the $1 million spent on the drop-in pitch, practice areas and new broadcast infrastructure.
Mark Evans has had his say on cricket at Metricon Stadium. Picture: AFL Media
Evans said it was “impossible” under the existing deal with Stadiums Queensland to recoup that investment and also make a profit from November’s T20 International.
“There will be no return on a single game, it is really all about paving the way and being a flagship for future events,’’ he said.
But he warned the review being undertaken by sports minister Mick de Brenni into Stadiums Queensland’s operating practices would have to lead to significant cuts to operating costs before the Suns committed to more cricket because the club and the AFL would not allow a situation where the football program was subsidising cricket.
“I would hope it doesn’t come to that because we certainly couldn’t afford to do that,’’ he said.
“There is a clear process ahead for me to try to bring more content to this stadium, it is not easy to make it work but in this case for this match we have found a way to do that.
“But the real challenge is to try and get a restructure of all the event costs and stadium costs to be able to attract more content.’’
Mrs Jones, who joined Evans and Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland for the announcement on the Gold Coast yesterday said the Government was committed to finding a solution to the stadiums drama that has engulfed all Queensland’s elite sporting clubs.
“When it comes to the operational costs of the stadiums, the sports minister is undertaking a review,’’ she said.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Getty Images
“This review is all about how we can grow content at our stadiums right across Queensland.’’
Sutherland confirmed the Gold Coast, which now has Queensland’s only drop-in pitch, was a priority venue for Cricket Australia.
“In the foreseeable future we are going to see BBL cricket here, now we have the infrastructure there is no reason why not,’’ he said.
Originally published as Suns eye future BBL franchise
Am I reading this correctly? They want to establish a Gold Coast Big Bash League team that would be nicknamed the Suns and wear red, gold and blue?
highly doubt that would be the case. all the colours of the current teams were chosen to contrast from the sporting teams in the area (eg. brisbane heat are blue, melb teams are red and green, etc.) to create a new brand. quite smart the way they've done it. if they set the adelaide strikers colours to be teal and black then that could deter crows fans from getting behind the team.Am I reading this correctly? They want to establish a Gold Coast Big Bash League team that would be nicknamed the Suns and wear red, gold and blue?
You're probably right but it wouldn't be the first time team branding has crossed over sports. GWS and Collingwood have teams in the national Netball competition and have done quite well. I think the sharing of a sports branding can be mutually beneficial and in this particular case, it would allow the Suns to offer a year round product to the Gold Coast market. They could also tap into an entirely new market of sports fans through their cricket connections.I think the journo is being a bit speculative there
nice to see that our flags are back and the metricons stadium sign is backJames Sutherland press conference at metricon View attachment 490314
The Heat being teal, black and white detered me from ever being a Heat fan... ended up not following it for a few years then eventually became a Renegades fan.highly doubt that would be the case. all the colours of the current teams were chosen to contrast from the sporting teams in the area (eg. brisbane heat are blue, melb teams are red and green, etc.) to create a new brand. quite smart the way they've done it. if they set the adelaide strikers colours to be teal and black then that could deter crows fans from getting behind the team.
if the suns want apart of a BBL franchise i can't see how they'd be able to keep a similar name whilst choosing a different colour scheme.
fair enough. i suppose for the one club cities it may have made more sense to find a colour similar, but i think the intention was to stray from the other sporting codes as well (e.g. soccer, rugby). i can't imagine another gold coast or brissy afl side any time in the near future so perhaps a suns branded cricket team isn't out of the question.The Heat being teal, black and white detered me from ever being a Heat fan... ended up not following it for a few years then eventually became a Renegades fan.
fair enough. i suppose for the one club cities it may have made more sense to find a colour similar, but i think the intention was to stray from the other sporting codes as well (e.g. soccer, rugby). i can't imagine another gold coast or brissy afl side any time in the near future so perhaps a suns branded cricket team isn't out of the question.
Not sure if it is 100% a good idea, lots of people on the Gold Coast follow Aussie rules but not the Suns specifically yet may be on the fence regards to the BBL... a GC Big Bash team would be more successful with a new brand from scratch... hell I may consider turncoating depending where I live at the time, so I can finally get behind a Queensland team.fair enough. i suppose for the one club cities it may have made more sense to find a colour similar, but i think the intention was to stray from the other sporting codes as well (e.g. soccer, rugby). i can't imagine another gold coast or brissy afl side any time in the near future so perhaps a suns branded cricket team isn't out of the question.