The Towards Zero Willowfest Cricket Championships this year will be attended by a former Australian Test captain, with Kim Hughes being named as ambassador for the 39th instalment to be held this December in Mildura and Wentworth.
Hughes will be guest of honour at the popular Willowfest Whack event on the 29th of December, as well as guest speaker at the presentation night at the conclusion of the championships on the 30th at the Mildura Workingman’s Club.
When asked about what he was looking forward to about Willowfest, Hughes said it was the people he would meet that he was looking forward to most of all.
“I’m really looking forward to getting up to Mildura and meeting everyone at Willowfest where we have a common love of cricket.”
“The greatest education is travel, so it’s the people and the places that I love about going around the country.”
It’s no wonder then that Hughes will be coming to Mildura for Willowfest, with teams travelling from across Victoria and Australia to play with mates or families to enjoy cricket and everything else the Mildura region has to offer.
A proven performer on the subcontinent including on tours of India, Hughes was disappointed in the performance of the current Australian side in Sri Lanka.
“Batting over there requires skill and patience, and unfortunately their technique has been found out. It’s not like the pitches have been terrible, they’re not spinning at right angles.”
A country boy at heart, Hughes began in cricket in the school yard at a young age growing up in Western Australia.
“At that time it was Aussie rules in winter, cricket in summer, and that’s what you did. It was either that or spend your time in the library. I didn’t want to do that.”
“We didn’t have Pokémon back then!”
The announcement of Hughes as ambassador comes hot on the heels of the announcement of the TAC’s new partnership with Willowfest which will see the 2016 edition named the Towards Zero Willowfest.
Willowfest is also going international, with interest coming especially from Indian teams in coming to Mildura for the cricket carnival. This is something that has delighted Hughes.
“I absolutely love India. The culture and history is amazing. And best of all they love their cricket, they are besotted with it.”
Willowfest president Anthony Telfer said “We have been chasing a former captain of the Australian Test team for a number of years and are extremely fortunate to have been able to secure Kim’s services as this year’s Ambassador”
“Having Hughes as our Ambassador is another major announcement for this year’s Willowfest, This will be our best year yet.”
Hughes attendance at the 2016 edition, which is the 39th in its history, is just one of more exciting announcements being made in the lead up to the cricket season. More events aimed at families and mates from Mildura and over the country will be announced in coming weeks, so there’s never been a better time to get your team together and get to Willowfest!
Key Details
- Hughes is a former captain of the Australian side who played 70 tests and scored 9 centuries
- Hughes will attend the popular Willowfest Whack on December 29thand will be guest speaker at the Willowfest presentation night on the 30th
- The Towards Zero Willowfest Cricket Championships occur every year in Mildura from December 27-30. Teams play for over $11,000 prize money
- The announcement follows news that the TAC have come on board as major sponsor for 2016, as well as interest from Indian teams through a new Indian Willowfest ambassador
More exciting announcements over coming weeks will mean Willowfest 2016 promises to be one of the biggest in its 39 year history
Further information is available on Willowfest by contacting- Anthony Telfer 0419 359 618
