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he Brisbane Heat have announced a three-year agreement with the Mackay Regional Council to promote the region and deliver Women’s Big Bash League matches to local communities in 2021 and 2022.

The Heat will produce targeted digital assets and innovations with the championship team sporting Mackay Regional destination messaging on their sleeve for the upcoming series.

Queensland Cricket, CEO, Terry Svenson, hopes the campaign will help Queensland regional economies recover this summer, following a tough year of COVID-19 restrictions and border closures.

“The messaging carried by the Heat about visiting the Mackay region, as well as the club staging future events here, will hopefully generate visitor numbers and revenue and make a real difference to the city and surrounding area,” Svenson said.

“We’re pleased to be able to assist with the region’s economic recovery and we were delighted to see the recent funding commitment of $10 million by the Queensland Government to enable the construction of the $24 million Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park from next year.

“The reception the WBBL Heat receive every time they play there is outstanding, and we are enthusiastic about being a part of some very exciting plans for the region in the next few years,” he said.

The Heat have been regular visitors to Mackay, having played six matches in the region since 2018.

The matches drew crowds of over 5550, stimulating growth in female participation in the area and recording the highest level of registered female players outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the Council is proud to be bringing top-class women’s cricket to Mackay.

“Thanks to this deal, we look forward to hosting similar events in the near future,” Williamson said.

“Sports fans, particularly families, have really responded to these events in previous years.

“I’m sure the Mackay community will be behind these events once again,” he said.

The WBBL Heat squad will travel to Sydney next week ahead of their opening match of the season against the Perth Scorchers on Sunday 25 October.