Victoria launches 2010-11 cricket season with bold new identity

The launch of the 2010-11 cricket season sees Cricket Victoria reveal a bold new identity to reflect what it calls the new era of cricket.

Cricket Victoria says it developed a new brand mark to emphasis the spirit of the game and how it is engaging the community in a way never seen before.

Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Tony Dodemaide says the new identity has done just that, while still paying homage to the sport’s proud 135 year heritage.

“It respects where we’ve come from, with a clear and distinctive statement about the future and the importance in engaging the community from the grass roots level up.

“At Cricket Victoria we have an extensive range of programs in place to ensure we are proactively engaging the next generation of Australian cricketers. Victoria leads the way in this area and we’re proud cricket is becoming much more accessible and an attractive option to both men and women.”

The brand mark already has the support of former Australian cricket captain and revered commentator Bill Lawry, who has lauded Cricket Victoria for its new brand identity, saying it’s a clear reflection of Victoria’s dedication to the future of the game.

Lawry, a former cricket manager for the Victorian Cricket Association who helped recruit players, says Cricket Victoria should be commended on making a solid statement with its new branding to continue to lead the way in nurturing new talent.

“Cricket in Victoria has a great history of capturing and celebrating young players, and it’s commitment to continue with this is reflective in its new brand identity.”

“I applaud Cricket Victoria for taking the lead on driving community engagement to ensure the growth of the game.”

In Victoria, there are now 201,237 people participating in the sport, representing a third of all cricket participants in Australia. 

The achievements don’t end with those playing the game either, at the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash at the MCG last season there was more than double the crowd on the previous year – and a new domestic Twenty20 attendance record.

Dodemaide says the results of Cricket Victoria’s teams, the DEC Bushrangers and DEC VicSpirit in the last year have also undoubtedly encouraged participation in the game.

“The DEC Bushrangers took Victorian cricket to the international stage in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India; again dominated the domestic KFC Twenty20 Big Bash – taking out their fourth title in five years; and retained the prestigious Sheffield Shield – the first back-to-back effort from a Victorian team in thirty years.”

The team also produced six Australian cricketers in Cameron White, Peter Siddle, Dirk Nannes, Andrew McDonald, David Hussey and Clint McKay, whilst the VicSpirit’s Rachael Haynes, Julie Hunter, Sarah Elliott, Elyse Villani, Jess Cameron and Clea Smith also donned the green and gold.

Not to be outdone by the men’s team, the DEC VicSpirit also won the inaugural National Twenty20 women’s competition over traditional rivals the NSW Breakers

“Those kind of results can only help cricket grow in the future, and we plan on fostering that to make sure it happens, with an entire new look to take us forward.”

That new look comprises a shield in the same shape as Cricket Australia with eleven sweeping arcs which represent the Victorian team.

The sweeping arcs of blue and green reflect how Cricket Victoria continues to be a strong supporter of building the spirit of the game, from the grass roots to the elite, as well as the optimistic nature of the organisation.

Grey lines represent the sweeping stands of the MCG – the premier Victorian cricket arena, while a bold ‘V’ in the centre symbolises the strength and pride in playing for Victoria, and the iconic symbol of Victorian sport.