The World Champion WHITE FERNS are coming to a town near you.
The winners of ICC T20 World Cup touched down in Christchurch today and attended a welcome home ceremony ahead of the week-long trophy tour, in which the public will receive the chance to familiarise themselves with both the silverware and some of the players who won it.
Beginning tomorrow, Dunedinites will get the opportunity to meet local heroes Suzie Bates and Eden Carson at Forsyth Barr Stadium (11.30am - 1pm) for a meet and greet, games, and photo opportunities.
The trophy will then stop off for a photo call at the picturesque St Clair Esplanade before making its way north via SH1.
Timaru's Aorangi Oval will welcome Bates and Lea Tahuhu on Sunday (10 - 11am), before Carson jumps back onboard and the party heads to Christchurch's Hagley Oval (2.30 - 4pm).
Both Aorangi and Hagley Oval will host games, activations, and photo opportunities for the public to enjoy.
Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair will then carry the trophy to the top of the South Island, stopping at Nelson's Saxton Oval on Monday (3.30 - 4.45pm) for games, inflatables, and much more.
On Tuesday (7.30am-8.30am), commuters in Wellington will have the opportunity to share their morning coffee with locals Georgia Plimmer, Jess Kerr and Leigh Kasperek at the iconic Wellington Railway Station.
All three will then decamp to the Cello Basin Reserve, before stopping in at Tawa College to connect with cricketers and former teachers from Kerr and Plimmer’s high school years.
Plimmer and Jess Kerr will be joined by the Central Hinds bowling duo of Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair for the central North Island leg, heading to Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park for a BBQ and games with the fans (3.30 – 4.30pm).
The Havelock North Cricket Club will host a BBQ at Anderson Park the following day on Wednesday (4.30 – 5.30pm), with fans encouraged to participate in a “Q&A” session with Rowe and Mair.
Brooke Halliday and Molly Penfold will make their first appearance of the tour, stopping in at Hamilton’s home of cricket, Seddon Park on Thursday (3.30 – 4.30pm) for games, inflatables, and a meet and greet.
Last but not least, Auckland-based WHITE FERNS will spend next Friday visiting their former schools across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Fans will be encouraged to head along to Melville Park on Sunday (3.30 – 5pm) to meet the team, watch some upcoming Auckland players compete (Legends Cup fixture), and enjoy a BBQ.
All events are FREE entry, NZC encourage all to come celebrate with players and support staff, and to get your photo with the World Cup trophy!
NZC is also working to confirm a fan event in Auckland’s CBD on Friday afternoon.
