This season, the Sydney Sixers and Belong turned on-field heroics into off-field impact, with every boundary hit benefiting community cricket through the Belong Bash Fund.
The Fund is a commitment by club Principal Partner Belong Mobile and Internet to donate $100 for every four or six hit by a Sixers player across the BBL and WBBL seasons to five local cricket clubs.
The Sixers reached the $50,000 cap for the Fund during the Challenger Final, ensuring the maximum contribution for five deserving grassroots clubs, each receiving a $10,000 funding boost.
Extra donations were also raised through engaging in-stadium activations during both the men’s and women’s home games.
The following five standout clubs were selected from dozens of passionate video entries posted to Instagram using #BelongBashFund:
- Sydney Coastal Cricket Club
- Terrigal Matcham Cricket Club
- Wyong District Cricket Club
- South Sydney Mount Carmel Junior Cricket Club
- Narara Wyoming Cricket Club
Belong’s Chief Marketing Officer Peita Golden recognised the vital role of community cricket:
“Grassroots cricket is where the love of the game starts,” said Golden.
“The Belong Bash Fund is about more than just money, it’s about recognising the connection between the community and grassroots sport.”
Sydney Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes said the Belong Bash Fund was a powerful example of collaboration delivering real benefits at every level of the game:
“The Belong Bash Fund was a fantastic initiative that once again strengthened the connection between grassroots cricket and the elite game,” Haynes said.
“The players had even more motivation to hit boundaries, knowing that every ball clearing the rope directly benefited community clubs.
“We thank Belong for their continued support of the club and grassroots cricket, and congratulate the five winning clubs, wishing them all the very best with their prize money.”
Vice President of the prize-winning Wyong District Cricket Club, Richard Mear, said the prize money would go to good use at their club:
“The Belong Bash Fund will help us keep costs low for our players in an environment where the price of participation is ever increasing,” Mear said.
“The funds will also help us expedite the process of renovating our training facility at Baker Park.”