Bellerive Oval to become Ninja Stadium

Kitchen, beauty and home appliances manufacturer, SharkNinja, has acquired naming rights to Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Australia.

SharkNinja has signed an initial four-year contract, with the option of a further one-year extension, with Cricket Tasmania, owner and operator of the stadium. Ninja Stadium will become the new moniker of the venue under a branding effort intended to present it as ‘the Home of Female Sports’ in Tasmania.

Ninja Stadium hosts Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and AFL Women’s (AFLW) teams the Hobart Hurricanes and North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos, along with games for men’s Big Bash outfit the Hurricanes, state team the Tasmanian Tigers and men’s AFL club North Melbourne. It has also traditionally hosted Australia’s cricket games in Tasmania.

First opened in 1914, Bellerive Oval had been named Blundstone Arena since 2011. At the time, the deal with the footwear manufacturer made the stadium the first major Australian cricket venue to take on a naming rights partner.

Cricket Tasmania’s CEO, Dominic Baker, said: “The collaboration between Cricket Tasmania and SharkNinja has already been of great benefit to both parties as we look to pursue female and family friendly content at Ninja Stadium ahead of this summer of cricket.

“We are aligned in our love, ambition, and passion for women’s sport, and through this partnership, we will continue to see female sport in our state flourish. SharkNinja will also join our Hurricanes WBBL and BBL playing kit, along with their commitment to our stadia.”

For SharkNinja, the Cricket Tasmania deal comes after Ninja was last month named the new naming rights partner of domestic club football competition the Women’s A-League.

Aby Shukla, SharkNinja managing director for Australia and New Zealand, added: “Cricket Tasmania inspires many, not just within the state but well beyond. It is home to the only professional women’s team in Tasmania.

“This partnership allows us to add another chapter to an already unforgettable summer of women’s sport. The outstanding sports teams that call Bellerive Oval home are Tasmanian icons. We are fortunate to have our name associated with such a hallowed ground.”