This Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season marks an exciting extension of the partnership between RMIT University and Cricket Victoria.
RMIT will be a presenting partner of the Melbourne Derby, which will feature four BBL and WBBL matches between the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.
The RMIT Melbourne Derby will see RMIT featured across dugout and Toblerone signage for the Renegades, ball kids and the creation of the RMIT Melbourne Derby Trophy.
The rivalry matches will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Marvel Stadium and the CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval, which are all iconic Melbourne sporting grounds.
India’s women's national cricket team captain and Melbourne Renegade, Harmanpreet Kaur, is excited to be playing back in Melbourne for the local Derby.
“[The MCG] is a great stadium to play. I think the last time I played here was the ICC T20 final against Australia. It was a great game. More than 86,000 people were here to watch women’s cricket,” said Kaur.
“Hopefully this Saturday we'll see so many fans come and watch us, this Melbourne Renegades and Stars game being so special for this tournament. So really looking forward to it.”
RMIT students will have the opportunity to design and develop the Melbourne Derby Trophy. It be presented in front of a global audience of cricket fans at the MCG, a stone’s throw away from RMIT’s City campus.
Sophie Day, Australian cricketer for the Stars in the WBBL, is a proud Melbournian who completed her own study journey in the heart of the city.
“I think education and sport play a massive role in the environment and the culture of Melbourne,” said Day.
“It's the place that people want to be a part of. They want to come here. They want to learn. They want to be diverse. It's exciting. And I think mixing the two together only promotes that further.”
Harmanpreet Kaur added that studying in Australia helps international students build a global perspective.
“So many Indians love to come to Australia for study and for work because this country offers so many things, whether it's sports or study or even the tourism.
“I think it's a great opportunity if people come here and study because education is something which is very important for all of us.”