The Sunshine Coast Cricket Association (SCCA) has partnered with Brisbane Premier League franchise the Coastal Marlins to launch a new pre-season T20 senior competition called The Travis Schultz & Partners Sunny Coast Smash.
Over one weekend, from 9 -11 September, four teams will play under lights for the title in the inaugural season at the Tewantin-Noosa Cricket Club.
Local Sunshine Coast businesses will have the chance to own any of the four franchises – Bull Sharks, Mudcrabs, Snapper and Yellowfins – making this a holistic way to connect passionate cricketers with the game they love.
Senior players can self-nominate and will be selected by team owners and coaches in what will be an opportunity for club cricketers on the Sunshine Coast to experience playing in a franchise-style competition.
Team owners will select players with the aim to promote local cricketers and engage regional players to come and experience playing with and against some of the Sunshine Coast’s best cricketing talent.
“At Travis Schultz & Partners, we value relationships and community so for me, supporting a game I love while helping the broader community makes sponsoring cricket quite irresistible,” Travis Schultz & Partners managing partner Travis Schultz said.
“Cricket is not only a great sport. It provides a unique opportunity for players to learn about teamwork, comradery, patience, strategy and fellowship, all while exercising and enjoying some time outdoors.”
“SCCA are very excited to be able to partner with the Coastal Marlins in providing a franchise opportunity to our local players to play T20. The Travis Schultz & Partners Sunny Coast Smash allows players to play with players from other clubs that during the season are their rivals,” SCCA vice president Jeremy Schultz said.
Coastal Marlins general manager Andrew Pearce said his club was passionate about growing and promoting cricket on the Sunshine Coast.
“We are stoked to be partnering with the SCCA to deliver the first ever Travis Schultz & Partners Sunny Coast Smash with four locally owned franchises coming together for the ultimate T20 cricket weekend,” he said. “The Coastal Marlins look forward to working closely with both the SCCA and the Scorchers into the future to develop players, coaches and the game on the Sunshine Coast through many new and exciting initiatives.”