It's hats on to Queenstown Cricket Club

One hundred and fifty Queenstown cricketers have bowled into summer kitted out in protective new floppy hats funded by SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust. 

Both Senior and Youth teams in the Queenstown Cricket Club now sport head gear with a 360 degree shield from the sun in addition to their traditional cricket whites.  The hats, complete with club logo, were needed to give more adequate protection to players and were bought using a $2,500 grant awarded by SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust from its 2010 funding round.

Queenstown Cricket Club is responsible for the provision of all aspects of amateur cricket in the Wakatipu Basin. It hosts cricket matches and development programs to encourage talent from age five, with play-offs taking place from its home ground at Queenstown Events Centre and various playing fields in Wanaka, Clyde, Black Hill area, Cromwell, Alexandra and Queenstown.

Club Manager Maurice Fordham said younger players in particular benefitted from the new floppy hats, which were brought in to replace their old front-shielding caps.

“The cricket club’s old hats were in need of a significant upgrade after years of batting off the harsh summer sun,” he said. “As a sports club we have the responsibility to ensure all our players stay safe from sunburn while outdoors, that’s why we looked into new styles for a complete 360 shield around the head and neck.”

Queenstown Cricket Club looks forward to a busy summer ahead, with play every Saturday and practice sessions at various times through the week. All teams from Year 5 onwards play matches against each other and other teams in the Vincent Cricket Association District in the Southern Lakes.

“Despite our application being slightly unconventional we are delighted to have been chosen as a recipient by SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust.  The panel of trustees really look at the individual applications and try to distribute the funds as fairly as possible to all causes, no matter how big or small,” said Mr Fordham.

SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust distributed a total of $95,378 to more than 44 community groups in the Queenstown Lakes in its 2010 recipient round.

SKYCITY Queenstown Casino has been a proud member of the Queenstown community for ten years and over the past eight years has distributed more than $900,000 to 249 community groups in the region.

Applications for funding from the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust are sought every June. For more information visit the community website section on www.skycityqueenstown.co.nz