77728

Bellerive Oval/Blundstone Arena, the only venue in Tasmania which hosts international cricket matches, is to be known as the Ninja Stadium, following a four-year naming rights partnership between Cricket Tasmania and kitchen and home appliances company SharkNinja.

The new branding for the 20,000 capacity venue, located in the Hobart suburb of Bellerive, sees the Ninja Stadium name replace that of bootmaker Blundstone - with the venue having been branded as the Blundstone Arena since October 2011 - its first ever commercial name.

Announcing the partnership with SharkNinja, which will hold the naming rights of Bellerive Oval through until at least 2028, with an option of a fifth year, Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive, Dominic Baker said the venue would be ‘the home of female sports’ in Tasmania.

Baker explained “the collaboration between Cricket Tasmania and SharkNinja, has already been of great benefit to both parties as we look to pursue female and family friendly content at Ninja Stadium ahead of this Summer of Cricket.

“We are aligned in our love, ambition, and passion for Women’s sport, and through this partnership, we will continue to see female sport in our state flourish.

“SharkNinja will also join our Hurricanes WBBL and BBL playing kit, along with their commitment to our Stadia.”

Ninja Stadium follows on from SharkNinja being named as the new naming rights partner of the A-League Women’s competition (Ninja A-League) last month, emphasising SharkNinja’s continued commitment to powering Women’s sport in Australia.

Noting that SharkNinja is grateful for the opportunity to grow together in partnership with Cricket Tasmania and further the game, SharkNinja Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Aby Shukla stated “Australia has been a leading light in women’s sport worldwide and we are grateful to be a part of it.

“Cricket Tasmania inspires many, not just within the state but well beyond. It is home to the only professional women’s team in Tasmania.”

Ninja Stadium will host its first event under its new name on 28th October when the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Thunder in the opening round of the 2024/25 WBBL season, followed by Tasmania v Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on 1st November.

The venue also hosts a number of AFL home games for North Melbourne each season.

Images: Bellerive Oval from the air (top) and stakeholders at today's naming rights announcement (below, from left): SharkNinja Managing Director Australia and New Zealand Aby Shukla, H and obart Hurricanes captain and Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive Dominic Baker.

Related Articles

3rd October 2024 - Perth’s HBF Arena and HBF Stadium to return to generic names after failure to secure new naming rights

2nd October 2024 - Central Coast Stadium starts search for new naming rights partner

18th September 2024 - Cost of new Hobart Stadium to rise by $60 million as economic cost questioned

12th September 2024 - SharkNinja secures naming rights for extended A-League Women’s season

23rd August 2024 - Betta Milk announced as naming rights sponsor of Royal Hobart Show

7th July 2024 - Concept designs released for Hobart’s new AFL Stadium

1st July 2024 - First tender released for UTAS Stadium upgrades

9th February 2024 - City of Launceston votes to transfer ownership of UTAS Stadium

20th November 2023 - City of Launceston announces intent to transfer ownership of UTAS Stadium to Stadiums Tasmania

18th August 2023 - GWS GIANTS Chief Operating Officer to head Stadiums Tasmania

3rd February 2023 - Directors appointed to new Stadiums Tasmania board

7th March 2022 - Former Cricket Tasmania employee seeks almost $1 million in damages over sexual harassment claims

11th December 2021 - Hobart’s Blundstone Arena to host fifth Ashes Test in cricket first for Tasmania

17th August 2018 - Dismissed Cricket Tasmania executive looks for legal redress

3rd August 2018 - Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive reveals he apologised to Government Minister over executive’s comments

22nd December 2014 - Cricket Tasmania unveils new Blundstone Arena stand

12th June 2013 - $30 million Bellerive Oval redevelopment underway

21st January 2013 - Kangaroos’ games at Blundstone Arena deliver $2.5 million

15th March 2012 - Suters teams with Artas at Blundstone Arena

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.