Cricket fans will be able to show their support with poi during the WHITE FERNS matches against England at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington starting this week.
NZC, with support from Sport New Zealand, Cricket Wellington and WellingtonNZ have worked with Pūhā Rikiriki - Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui Poi Manu Rōpū and Hiwa Performance Crew in Wellington to incorporate poi movements into the matchday experience at the fourth and fifth T20Is and first ODI in the Capital.
Poi will be introduced to celebrate key moments in the game, namely the umpires four and six signals – Poi Whā (Four) and Poi Ono (Six) and Poi Whiua (twirl your poi and cheer).
The initiative will continue the celebration of on-field performances of wāhine athletes through the use of poi, which was started during the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand.
Poi will be given to fans at the Cello Basin Reserve and there will also be a poi-making station for fans to learn how to make poi themselves.
NZC will be encouraging fans to take their poi home with them and to bring them along to future matches.
NZC Diversity and Inclusion lead Andrew Tara said poi would add another aspect to the event experience for cricket fans in Wellington.
“Poi brings a unique and vibrant celebration to cricket matches, elevating the excitement of fours and sixes,” said Tara.
“We’ve seen poi become a key feature of women’s sport in recent years, and we’re excited to showcase this taonga (treasure) to cricket audiences.
“We want to create an energy and fan experience in cricket that inspires the wāhine athletes on the field to give it their all.”
Tamariki around Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington are also encouraged to get creative with their poi-making skills and bring them along to the Cello Basin Reserve to receive free entry to the fifth T20I on Friday 29 March*.
*One free Child entry (4-14yrs) will apply when a homemade Poi is shown at the entry gate.
