They started off as a group of mates playing cricket at the weekend, but now the Bay Blasters are about to become an official club — and they have big plans.
The club recently hosted the inaugural Bay Blasters Super Cup cricket tournament in Tauranga, with CrestClean being the chief sponsor of the event.
The tournament was a great success, with eight teams from throughout the North Island competing.
The cup went to Kissan Ektha 11, a team of players from Wellington, Taupo and Tauranga, with Bay Blasters, which included three CrestClean franchisees, finishing in second place. ‘Best Batsman and Bowler’ was awarded to Hareesh Paniker, from the Bay Blasters.
Presenting the prizes was Trudi Kemp, Community Coaching Advisor with Sport Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga franchisee Nikhil Nair, who plays for Bay Blasters and was one of the event co-ordinators, says it was a great day, with more than 250 people attending.
“A lot of families from our community were there, a lot of kids,” says Nikhil.
“This was the first tournament for us — we are planning a much bigger one for next year, with over 20 teams.”
The Bay Blasters was formed three months ago, by a group of friends who met through the Tauranga South Indians Association.
“There are 38 members in the group. We just planned to play at the weekend, but everyone was happy to do a tournament,” says Nikhil.
The Bay Blasters is now in the process of registering as an official cricket club and is looking forward to many more games to come.
“We started as friends who wanted to play cricket at the weekend and now it’s turned into something much bigger!”
CrestClean’s Tauranga Regional Manager Jan Lichtwark says it was great being part of such a positive community event.
“I am sure there are plenty of other CrestClean cricketers out there who would be interested in taking part next year!”
