From Woolgoolga to Murrumbateman, and everywhere in between, cricket fans in regional NSW will kick off the countdown to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with the help of a 'biggest hit' virtual reality experience.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the T20 World Cup Regional Roadshow will make 11 stops over the next month and include a range of interactive activities and displays, plus a number of prizes will be up for grabs.
"The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport's most exciting format and the Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans across the State the chance to experience the buzz of the tournament first-hand," Mr Toole said.
"This is about giving cricket fans in the bush a taste of the action. With Sydney hosting six World Cup matches including a semi-final, the Regional Roadshow brings the action to fans who mightn't otherwise be able to travel to matches and gives students a chance to get involved during the school holidays."
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Regional Roadshow will start by taking the T20 World Cup silverware to northern NSW, and is an example of the benefits of the NSW Government's 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
"Regional NSW is the heartland of cricket in our State, and the Regional Roadshow has hit the sweet spot by providing entertainment and inspiration for bush cricket fans across NSW ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia," Mr Henskens said.
"Despite having a smaller population than Sydney, regional NSW accounts for around half of the state's registered players, more than 250 adolescent cricketers in the Cricket NSW pathway system, and produces over 50 per cent of NSW's contracted professional cricketers."
With less than a month to go until the first game of the tournament, the Regional Roadshow was launched to cricket fans at Curryfest in Woolgoolga today.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said with 16 national teams competing, the T20 World Cup would bring communities and cultures together through sport.
"Sport has the power to unite communities, and the T20 World Cup will bring fans from many cultural backgrounds together in a celebration of sport," Mr Singh said.
"What better place to launch the Regional Roadshow and celebrate the amazing communities that make up the tournament than here at Curryfest."
More information on the T20 World Cup can be found online.
