Cricket fan Isabella Van Aart thought it was "awesome" to meet the players on 26 February at the White Ferns v England ODI at University Oval in Dunedin, when she participated in the match coin toss with the team captains as a part of the ANZ Coin Toss competition.

See Press Release below:

Isabella Van Aart, who attends Columba College, won the opportunity to be an ANZ Coin Toss Kid and experience standing side by side with the captains Sophie Devine and Heather Knight as they decided who would bat and bowl. Isabella said “I was really nervous, but it went away when I got to meet all the players and then I was just excited. I got to meet nearly all of the White Ferns and talk about cricket with them.”

Isabella is enjoying learning cricket skills at school with help from Columba College’s Year 12 students. She comes from a family of cricket fans who love playing with the neighbours at their beach house. She said she was excited that the White Ferns won the toss, especially after chatting to the team and getting their signatures on her hat.

Head of Sponsorship at ANZ, Sue McGregor said Isabella was one of 23 promising young cricketers and cricket fans chosen to take part in the pre-match custom this cricket season.

“After such a tough year for the country in 2020, it has been even more apparent the important role that sport and our sporting heroes play to inspire our future generations. We are so pleased to be able to continue creating these once in a lifetime opportunities for our future BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS. Getting to meet their heroes is something we hope will stay with them for years to come.”

The Coin Toss experience is part of ANZ’s long-standing support of Kiwi cricketers.

Since 2009 ANZ has given over $1 million to local cricket players, teams and clubs. In addition, ANZ has donated $1 million in grants to grassroots cricket and netball clubs to help them get back up and running after Covid-19.

Applications to win the chance to take part in the ANZ Coin Toss experience arestill open. Apply for the Coin Toss Experience or for an ANZ Cricket Grant atwww.anzcricketworld.co.nz/