Sarah Courtney,Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
Tasmania is ready to take the cricket world by storm and showcase what is so special and unique about our beautiful island to world-wide audiences, with the Fifth Ashes Test starting in Hobart tomorrow.
We stand ready to make the most of our largest ever sporting event and grasp the many opportunities to come from the partnerships that have been formed.
In addition, the Test is set to generate close to $30 million worth of economic benefit to Tasmania, with anticipated long-term benefits well beyond the Ashes Test match.
No Ashes match would be complete without the infamous presence of the Barmy Army, a group of die-hard cricket supporters with a presence at every international match the England team play.
Tourism Tasmania is partnering with the Barmy Army on a multi-channel digital campaign to drive awareness, traffic and future interest in Tasmania as a destination.
The Barmy Army has one of the most highly-engaged cricket audiences in the world with more than 700,000 social media followers providing a unique opportunity to capture global media attention.
We are also working with the Barmy Army trumpeter, renowned for being at the centre of the atmosphere wherever England play and often at the centre of media attention.
Launceston-born Darcy O’Malley will be stepping in to fulfill this role for the Hobart Test, making his debut for the Barmy Army.
On Day One, Darcy will be wearing a Tasmanian branded t-shirt, pink Mongrel Socks made from the finest Tasmanian merino wool and iconic Blundstone Boots ensuring a distinct Tasmanian presence for the world to see.
A series of videos showcasing Tasmania with commentary from Ricky Ponting will be integrated into Channel Seven’s broadcast of the match to both metro and regional audiences.
These will be played alongside Tourism Tasmania’s Come Down for Air brand advertisements, with the campaign now active across key Australian markets.
To generate a buzz around Tasmania’s premium produce, platters of fine Tasmanian produce including cheese, seafood, walnuts, cherries, olives, berries, honey, salt, mushrooms, farm produce and more will be available across the media centres at Blundstone Arena.
There will be a great line-up of Tasmanian talent to entertain the crowds at the match, featuring Vodafone’s Live and Local artists Luca Brasi, The Wolfe Brothers and Ange Boxall.
There will also be a special Combined Clubs Hillcrest Twilight Race with spinnakers on Friday 14 January, coordinated by the Bellerive Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and the Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS) with all entry fees to be donated to the Hillcrest Community Public Fund.
I’d like to thank Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia for their efforts in helping to maximise the community, business, trade and tourism opportunities associated with hosting the Test.
The Government has worked with Cricket Australia and Public Health to ensure that the match operates under the approved COVID safety plan and all COVID related matters are managed effectively.
I’m confident this will be a truly memorable event experience that is sure to provide long-lasting benefits to our state.
The detailed list of Tasmanian produce suppliers for the media centres at Blundstone Arena is provided below:
1. Red Cow Organics
2. Tunnel Hill Mushrooms
3. Coaldale Walnuts
4. Fresh Field Grove Olives
5. Mount Gnoman Farm
6. Tasmanian Kitchen Pantry
7. Hill Farm Preserves
8. Stanley Seafoods
9. Summercoates Cherries
10. Herbet & Co Honey
11. Houston Farm Salads
12. Harvest Moon
13. Tasman Sea Salt
14. Blue Hills Honey
15. KimchiMe
16. Old Beach Berries
