Timing of Launceston Big Bash matches up for revision
UTAS Stadium’s second fixture of BBL|09 appeared the perfect timeslot on a Sunday afternoon during school holidays. But a clash with competing events on the weekend saw a disappointing turnout.
CRICKET Tasmania chief Dominic Baker concedes the organisation will have to look at when Launceston hosts BBL matches moving forward following Sunday’s disappointing turnout.
Despite the family friendly timeslot of 3pm on a weekend afternoon, only 6184 people turned up to UTAS Stadium for Hobart’s clash against the Adelaide Strikers.
It followed the rain affected match against the star-studded Melbourne Stars on December 30 which drew 8752 fans.
While crowd levels have also dipped in Hobart during BBL|09, the alarming drop off in the north of the state is a cause for concern.
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Although Baker did not suggest cutting back to one match in Launceston would be considered, the timing of games will be discussed.
“It was a disappointing result off the ground because I would have thought that was the perfect fixture,” Baker said.
“But on reflection, Launceston had an absolute heap of activity on the weekend, they had the polo on the Saturday and they had Mona Foma going over the weekend as well.
“There was a lot of competing interests but I would have thought we could have defended our space a little bit better than that.
“We will have to have a look at the fixturing and time of year that we play in Launceston to make sure they are scheduled at times we can capitalise on it.
“The simple facts are we don’t have the population to be able to stack games close together, it just doesn’t work, people get fatigued.”
The Hurricanes sold one of their five home matches at Blundstone Arena to Alice Springs this tournament due to concerns on attendance figures.
adam.j.smith@news.com.au
