Wellington’s cricketers have been keeping some high-powered company recently, with the Mayor hosting a reception to launch “Wellington’s Summer of Cricket”, and then taking in breakfast with the Wellington Blaze ahead of their opening matches last weekend.

Councillor John Morrison along with Her Worship the Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown, hosted a Mayoral reception recently, recognizing cricket’s long-standing relationship with the city, and the optimism for a successful season ahead, encompassing everything from junior and senior club cricket, all the way through to the Wellington Firebirds.

Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Peter Clinton spoke of the strong and positive connection that cricket continues to have with Wellington City Council, and touched on the opportunities ahead with inbound tours from England and India in the coming years and the Cricket World Cup in 2015, and the tourism and trade connections that could be progressed using cricket’s profile as a platform.

Firebirds’ HRV Cup Twenty20 captain Grant Elliott spoke of the commitment of the team to do Wellington proud, while coach Jamie Siddons outlined his coaching values and the preparation the team has undertaken in the pre-season.

The following week, the Mayor joined the Wellington Blaze for an informal breakfast at Vista Café on Oriental Parade, giving the Blaze her mayoral support and wishing them every success for the season.  Also at the breakfast the players were presented with their representative caps, while long-serving coach was presented with a gift from the team.