An initiative between the State Government and the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) will see 18 volunteers who battled the recent Margaret River fires offered tickets for the KFCT20 Big Bash League match.

Acting Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Redman said the gesture was a small way the Government and the WACA could show their gratitude for the efforts of WA’s volunteers.

“The chance to watch Perth Scorchers take on the Adelaide Strikers is an open acknowledgement by this Government of the volunteer firefighters’ work,” Mr Redman said.

“I would like to thank the WACA for its generous gesture in supplying tickets and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority for organising the distribution of these tickets to volunteers during such a busy time as bushfires continue to burn in parts of the State.

“The initiative was well received by the volunteer firefighters who came from Kalamunda, Rockingham and the lower south-west volunteer fire brigades.”

This is the second year the Department of Sport and Recreation has partnered with sporting groups to invite communities and volunteers to a sporting event.

In 2011, the WACA provided 50 entry tickets to drought-affected farmers to attend the Twenty20 Australia versus Sri Lanka match. In addition, the Hopman Cup and Tennis West provided a day at the Hopman Cup for 25 wives and partners of Wheatbelt farmers experiencing hardship as a result of the dry season.