Mackay hosts WBBL at Harrup Park, grows regional brand to national audience

The 10 days of WBBL action attracted 13,000 fans to the Great Barrier Reef arena but it’s the fans watching the coverage from afar that could prove the most lucrative for Mackay.

Fans cheer during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Sixers at Great Barrier Reef Arena, on November 13, 2021, in Mackay, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

It was named the ‘Festival of Cricket’, but the 10 days of WBBL action in Mackay was more than just some sport on a ground.

It was an experience.

The region is quickly growing its name as the sporting capital of regional Australia, with the Women’s Big Bash League’s recent stop in the sugar city a sweet success.

Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson said the hosting efforts from Mackay and Harrup Park were “first class”.

“We know that staging the WBBL in the area continues to inspire girls to play cricket,” he said.

“Mackay is the second largest region for women and girls’ participation outside of Brisbane.

Fans cheer during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Sixers at Great Barrier Reef Arena, on November 13, 2021, in Mackay, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“The Great Barrier Reef facilities were exceptional once again, and we look forward to the continuing development of the venue in the coming months.”

Crowds of more than 3000 Mackay cricket fanatics flocked to the prime-time evening games across the 10 days, with almost 13,000 attending in total.

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was great exposure for the region, and said Mackay was fast-becoming the regional capital of sport in Queensland.

“It’s getting Mackay’s name out there as a regional sporting capital,” he said.

“It’s been a tremendous result to get Mackay’s name out there and you can’t buy that sort of publicity.

“The grounds looked absolutely sensational, and the amount of times the Great Barrier Reef Arena was mentioned was tremendous.”

Charli Knott of the Heat bowls during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Adelaide Strikers at Great Barrier Reef Arena, on November 14, 2021, in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Fans travelled from as far as Rockhampton and the Gladstone region to get a taste of the action over two days, with the region’s hotels almost at capacity.

Mr Williamson said “you couldn’t get a room in town”.

“That is fantastic, that’s the side benefit for our community in sports tourism,” he said.

“That’s the sort of thing that fills up restaurants and other businesses, and it’s the trickle-down effect for everyone that makes a dollar out of the tourism industry.

“We’ve proven the value of sports tourism and business tourism that can really give us a great leg-up in promoting our region.”

Fans cheer during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Sixers at Great Barrier Reef Arena, on November 13, 2021, in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Mackay has held its own against the metro stadiums and arenas when it comes to hosting professional sports in 2021, and the region was recently rewarded with both NRL and AFLW fixtures returning to Mackay.

Mr Williamson said it was very promising Sydney Roosters elected to host a ‘home’ game at BB Print Stadium, and said it was proof Mackay was a elite-level sporting city.

“Brisbane Heat told me they love coming here because how friendly the people are and how great the facilities are,” he said.

“The NRL is the same story, the Roosters have come back to us because they had such a good time here.

“For them to elect to have one of their home games here next year is a great testament, not just to the sporting genres in this town, but to the whole community that gets behind it.”