Hobart’s Bellerive Oval stadium will once again be known by its original name after footwear giant Blundstone Australia decided not to renew its naming rights sponsorship deal.

As The Mercury reports, Blundstone’s 13-year association with the site will end on October 1, paving the way for a new local business.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker thanked Blundstone for its “commitment” to the sport and expressed his delight at the future of the stadium’s naming rights.

“Blundstone Arena is synonymous with Tasmania and Tasmanian cricket and there are many great memories associated with Blundstone,” he told the Gazette.

Blundstone Australia CEO Adam Blake said the company was “very proud” of the partnership and grateful for the opportunity to support cricket and sport in the state.

“The partnership with Cricket Tasmania has been really positive,” he said.

“We have always believed that businesses should actively contribute to the development of their communities and we are proud that our first arena sponsorship has helped to lay the foundations for cricket and wider sporting events in Tasmania, both now and for generations to come,” he said.

It is understood that local developer Wilson Homes, which has already entered into a partnership with Cricket Tasmania, is a potential candidate to replace Blundstone as the arena’s title sponsor.

Details of the new sponsor have not yet been confirmed.

In 2011, Bellerive Oval became the first international cricket ground in Australia to agree to a naming convention, changing its name to Blundstone Arena.

The contract was extended for a further five years in 2016 and again for three years in 2021.