Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan): My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Racing, Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, the Honourable Martin Pakula.
My question to the minister relates to his portfolio responsibilities of tourism, sport and major events. The ICC T20 World Cup is almost here. The Australian women’s cricket team will take on all comers at the ICC T20 World Cup, and Victorians are ready to support our best players. A sellout crowd for the final, to be played at 7.00 pm on International Women’s Day, could make history, with the highest attendance for a women’s sporting event standing at 90 185, achieved at the 1999 soccer World Cup final between the US and China in California. My question to the minister is: can the minister advise what special measures are being taken to ensure that this marquee event is communicated to the people of Western Metropolitan Region and Victoria in general?
RESPONSE
Mr PAKULA (Keysborough—Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Racing) (6 February 2020):
Melbourne is pleased to be hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday 8 March 2020.
The T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) alongside the International Cricket Council (ICC) are responsible for leading the global marketing of the T20 event, with Visit Victoria acting as a partner to promote Victoria’s activities. The LOC’s marketing campaign for the tournament went live on 18 October 2019 and in early 2020 there will be a significant increase in marketing activity in Melbourne promoting the Women’s Final. As this Final is being held on International Women’s Day, a key objective of this marketing campaign is to stage the event in front of a capacity crowd at the MCG, which would be a record breaking moment for women’s sport and equality.
The LOC for the T20 Women’s event has already identified key multicultural audiences and communities for event ticket sales aligned to those countries participating in the event, including the Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. Visit Victoria’s activity will mirror these audiences, with compelling social and progressive messaging to broaden the audience, not only to cricket fans, but also to inspire those who are not necessarily sport or cricket enthusiasts to attend.
In addition, the T20 World Cup National Schools Program which is designed for primary and secondary students aged 5-16 has been developed in conjunction with Cricket Australia and industry experts to deliver classroom-based learning outcomes. Units have been specifically developed to leverage Australian Cricket’s current offerings and therefore go beyond putting bats and balls in students’ hands by catering to identified teacher needs. More than 100 schools have signed up across Victoria to date.
Key objectives of the program include:
- Increasing interest and participation in cricket by young people in schools;
- Delivering curriculum-aligned learning outcomes;
- Providing an easy-to-implement and fun activity for teachers that enhances their objectives; and
- Encouraging schools, families and communities to engage with the T20 World Cup and ideally attend matches.
The Victorian Government in partnership with Cricket Victoria has also established a T20 World Cup Legacy Program. Separate to the T20 World Cup National Schools Program, the T20 World Cup Legacy Program focusses on initiatives delivered by Cricket Victoria which promote diversity and inclusion with a focus on women and girls.
Cricket Victoria, with support from the T20 World Cup Legacy Program are also delivering a Year 7 and 8 Girls Leadership Program, to support young girls and provide tools and practical activities that promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing.