Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui has six pool games and the final and is hosting many of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup's high-profile teams. Photo/File
Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui has six pool games and the final and is hosting many of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup's high-profile teams. Photo/File
Images of Bay Oval under lights and picturesque shots around Mount Maunganui and Tauranga are going out to an estimated captive audience of 1.3 billion viewers across the globe.
That remarkable number alone – provided by organisers of the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2018 – shows the impact of this tournament on the city and region is bigger than many people probably realise.
But then there is also the more than $950,000 that will be spent in Tauranga – $605,998 of that on accommodation – by teams, match officials, broadcasters, the International Cricket Council and the tournament's Local Organising Committee.
Across New Zealand, the total spend by this group will be $6.7 million, with a little over 10,000 room nights booked.
"In terms of the broadcasting reach and the digital reach for this tournament, it's absolutely massive," Bay Oval Trust general manager Kelvin Jones said.
He said the effect of the World Cup on Tauranga was much more significant than a standard international cricket fixture, despite the crowds at the Mount Maunganui ground being smaller.
"We've been happy with the crowds – around about a thousand a game. That's actually pretty good for these types of events," Jones said.
"The atmosphere has been great, the second game was India, and the Indian supporters brought a bit more noise and colour and flair which is good."
He said the beauty of cricket broadcasting when it comes to showing off a city to potential tourists is its length and the number of short breaks.
During those frequent gaps in play over the several hours a match takes, audiences around the world see shots of cruise ships docked at the Mount, the beach, Tauranga's harbour, Mauao and more.
Bay Oval has six pool games and the all-important final and is hosting many of the World Cup's high-profile teams – India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and New Zealand.
"We've got just about all the markets covered."
Jones said Bay Oval is also the broadcasting and media base and so there are more than 100 people working, staying and spending money locally for about two weeks.
Seven teams are visiting Tauranga during the group phase of the tournament, and potentially two new ones will come for the final on February 3.
There is an average of 25 people per team – 15 players and up to 10 management.
Tournament organisers said $605,998 would be spent on accommodation in Tauranga (2200 room nights), $49,545 on catering, $46,500 on security, $45,900 on laundry and $133,920 on allowances – to list just some of the local expenses.
Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Kristin Dunne said her organisation anticipated significant media coverage of the tournament and so developed media and player packs to represent the Bay's welcoming spirit.
"We have greeted six of the teams at the airport as they touch down in Tauranga and are excited to welcome Zimbabwe on Thursday as the seventh and final team."
She said both the World Cup and the investments Bay Oval has made in its facilities will help foster the region as a domestic and international cricket destination.
"Tauranga can continue to host tournaments of this calibre with the region as the perfect backdrop."
The Under 19 Cricket World Cup runs from January 13 to February 3.
U19 Cricket World Cup spend in Tauranga Accommodation: $605,998 Allowances: $133,920 Catering: $49,545 Security: $46,500 Laundry: $45,900 Team coaches: $49,000 Medical: $20,900 Rental vehicles: $5820 Total: $957,583 Note: This is expenditure by teams, match officials, broadcasters, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the tournament's Local Organising Committee. Source: U19 Cricket World Cup Local Organising Committee
A special trip to Mount Maunganui to cheer on India
Smit Patel from Auckland made a special trip down to Mount Maunganui to support India with his friends. Photo/John Borren
Smit Patel was not wrong – his side easily romped home against Papua New Guinea in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup pool game at Bay Oval yesterday afternoon, winning by 10 wickets with 42 overs remaining.
Patel, 21, drove down to Tauranga from Auckland on Monday night to watch the game and was due to return home straight after.
He and his friends are huge Indian cricket fans and came to support their team.
"It's windy over here but it's a good atmosphere compared to Auckland. I like the ground, the outfield is faster. It is very nice to sit over here," Patel said of Bay Oval.
He named and pointed out a few players on the field he thought would definitely go on to play for the Indian senior side.
Patel was particularly keen to watch opening batsman and captain Prithvi Shaw, who scored 94 against Australia in India's opening-game win at Bay Oval on Sunday.
Shaw would go on to make 57 not out against Papua New Guinea yesterday.
Patel said if India made the final he would probably return to Mount Maunganui to watch and would possibly also come down for their game against Zimbabwe on Friday.
He plays club cricket in Auckland and said watching the international cricket live was a good learning exercise as well as entertaining.
