Crowd Funding Campaign Launched To Rename Iconic Cricket Ground To ‘Support Women’s Sport Basin Reserve’

A group of Olympic female athletes have launched a crowdfunding campaign to call New Zealand’s most famous cricket ground, the Support Women’s Sport Basin Reserve.

Athletes Sarah Cowley, Megan Compain and Chantal Brunner are looking to raise $100,000 to rename Wellington’s Basin Reserve cricket ground for two years.

Although the name doesn’t roll off the tongue, Jason Wells, who’s worked on the campaign, said securing the naming rights would be an opportunity to keep the issue of women’s sport coverage to the fore.

“It’s fantastic that we’re starting to recognise women’s sport a little bit more but we’ve still got a long way to go,” he said.

“And that’s what this is about, I want my daughter to have role models that she can see on TV and covered just the same as what my sons do. At the moment it’s not equitable.”

The Basin Reserve Trust has struggled to find a naming sponsor for some time.

City councillor Fleur Fitzsimmons, who is a Basin Reserve Trustee and holds the recreation and community facilities portfolios, said she supported the campaign.

“We will be sending an important message to girls and women across the world that in Wellington we value the role of women in sport,” she said.

“I want all girls to feel valued when playing sport at whatever level.

“We have more work to do to ensure equal pay for women and men in sport and much more to do around the promotion of women athletes and women’s sport, but renaming our premier test cricket ground to support women’s sport is an important symbol.”

Wellington major Justin Lester said in a statement that he supported the initiative.

“I look forward to the day when our daughters can achieve the same level of personal and financial success in their chosen sport as our sons,” he said.

“I look forward to them achieving equal pay and recognition, and the support they deserve.

“The initiative to raise awareness for women’s sport is simply brilliant and one we should all support.”