Backyard Bash – New Zealand's First Regional Backyard Cricket Championships

The summer holiday is coming closer with every chocolate eaten out of an advent calendar, and this means it’s time for jandals, beer and backyard sports. It’s become tradition to kick back with friends and family in the backyard, cooking up a BBQ, laughing at jokes and playing around with a ball in the sun. Backyard cricket is one of the most popular impromptu sports, and this summer you and your mates can play in New Zealand’s first ever regional backyard cricket championships!

Backyard Bash is taking place within pubs in four regions, so you can choose to hit the bat in North Shore City, Auckland City, Napier or Palmerston North. The chosen pubs are located in The Wade Hotel, Pakuranga Rugby Club, The Meeanee Hotel, and Rongotea Tavern. Tournaments will be held in January and February, so you’re guaranteed clear blue skies and a warm afternoon. Entry fee is $250 per team and includes beer on entry.

Backyard cricket is an improvised, looser version of traditional cricket, and rules are subject to change depending on the context, the physical environment, and the number of people present. Backyard Bash will be organized and have its own set rules to ensure fair play, but it’ll keep the spirit of the laid back, informal backyard sport. There are only 8 team slots available at each tournament, so secure your spot by registering early.

The event’s main sponsor is Crewcut – a fitting pairing, as Crewcut has been providing lawn care and garden maintenance services to Kiwis for over 25 years. If you’d rather play cricket in your own backyard, these guys can mow your lawn, tidy up the hedges and get it ready for entertaining. The lead up to this summer has been unusually hot and gardens need more maintenance than ever. For lawn care in Auckland and all the up to the Far North and all the way down to Otago, contact Crewcut.