Dream Big with ANZ
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As the BLACKCAPS continue to demonstrate world-class form on the field, ANZ teams have been busy making dream deliveries to deserving cricket fans around the country as part of their ‘Field Your Dream’ promotion.
First up was 12-year-old cricket fan, Cullen O’Connor, whose dream was to become a sports reporter. Cullen, from Taupo, was granted the exclusive opportunity to not only announce ANZ’s sponsorship of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Christchurch on January 8, but also reveal the BLACKCAPS line-up for the world cup squad via social media and interview captain Brendon McCullum, coach Mike Hesson and other BLACKCAPS.
He said the experience was all his dreams coming true at once.
“I can’t believe what I got to do. It’s been a dream come true and now I’m more determined than ever to follow my career dream and become a sports reporter.”
Check out how Cullen went - click here for the video.
Then in Auckland, another two young cricket fans had their dreams come true when they arrived home to find their backyard transformed into a pitch, along with 80 friends and family and five BLACKCAPS ready to play.
Sandringham brothers Kazik (8) and Lukasz (10) Swain won the opportunity to meet Brendon McCullum, Mitchell McClenaghan, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori and bowling coach Shane Bond after their dad and cricket coach, Andrew Swain, applied to the ANZ Field Your Dream promotion.
“I’d built the boys some cricket nets on the lawn and they’re out there playing every chance they get.
“They’re probably the BLACKCAPS’ biggest fans so I thought I’d write to ANZ and see how we go. I actually couldn’t believe it when we got the call.”
In addition to meeting the players, Kazik and Lukasz were awarded brand new nets, a turfed pitch, cricket gear and a bowling machine.
“When I saw all the gear and then the BLACKCAPS standing in front of our house I was pretty speechless,” said Lukasz. “I’ll remember it for a really long time.”
The ANZ Field Your Dream programme coincides with the BLACKCAPS attempting to realise their big dream over the course of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and is an extension of the ANZ Cricket Grant Scheme, which over five years has awarded $500,000 worth of grants to communities across the country. Open to fans, players, coaches, managers, teachers, parents and teams, the bank will make multiple dream deliveries from January through to March.
Dreams can take the form of anything from an extreme makeover for a local cricket club to assistance with putting on the ultimate backyard cricket tournament or just new gear.
“We’re encouraging people to dream big,” says ANZ CEO, David Hisco. “Whatever New Zealander’s cricket dreams are, we’re keen to hear them and hopefully make some of them come true.”
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