The apex body of cricket in England and Wales, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has developed a new partnership with the global automotive giant, Toyota.
Toyota is committing to an £800,000 four-year investment into grassroots cricket in partnership with the ECB for All Stars Cricket. The ECB-backed eight-week initiative encourages 5-8-year-olds to participate in cricket, and will now be supported by Toyota’s funding, which will provide 4,000 youngsters with free access to All Stars Cricket through bursary placement.
In addition to the bursaries, Toyota dealerships will help to promote All Stars Cricket in local communities by facilitating centre sign-ups and introducing additional volunteers and host clubs to the project.
Alex Perkins, Commercial Director at ECB, said, “We are delighted to partner with Toyota as we launch Get Set Weekend and All Stars Cricket this year. Grassroots cricket is the bedrock of the sport and stretches into every corner of England and Wales. Toyota’s support for these fantastic initiatives will bring even more communities together around cricket and provide even more opportunities for children to develop a life-long love of the game.”
Toyota will also be included in All Stars marketing and promotional materials, particularly t-shirts supplied to youngsters participating in the programme.
In addition, the auto dealership is now the title sponsor of the ECB’s ‘Get Set Weekend’. The project, which took place on April 5-6, served as a preseason focus point for clubs around England and Wales as they prepared for the next season.
The project, which aims to prepare facilities and inspire new and existing volunteers to spend time at their local club, asks cricket clubs around the country to help prepare for the grassroots season.
Scott Thompson, President and Managing Director of Toyota GB, said, “We’re proud to support the ECB’s All Stars Cricket programme and Get Set Weekend, inspiring the next generation of cricketers and supporting the volunteers that make club cricket possible. At Toyota, mobility is at the heart of everything we do and, through these initiatives, we’re helping more people enjoy cricket, be active and connect through sport.”