Ironshore Sponsors Western County Players
The Ironshore youth programme have agreed to give a generous donation to each of the Western Counties Players to attend the BCB National Academy [BCBNA] Under 13 & Under 15 UK Tour, August 18 to September 1.
John Windsor, Head of Bermuda Operations, Ironshore, stated, “On behalf of Ironshore, I am very pleased to support the progression of the young Western County players from grass roots community cricket to this international tour.
“Ironshore applauds and values the goals of the BCB National Academy program which provides not just cricket coaching but a full range of lifeskills and personal development tools. In addition, older players are trained to provide peer mentorship to the younger age-groups. I wish the two travelling teams all the best on this exciting opportunity.”
Whilst on tour, the national players will compete against teams in Leicester, York, Warwick, Bristol and London mixing with other young cricketers from various different social and cultural backgrounds and experiencing international competition at a very competitive level.
Players will have the opportunity to have a number of site-seeing excursions including a guided tour of Lords Cricket Ground and will have the opportunity to watch a day’s play at a First Class Cricket match. Throughout the time there will be a strong focus on improving their personal diet and nutrition, developing life-skills in addition to learning what it takes to be a professional sportsman.
The overall aim of the BCBNA is to provide talented young cricket players with a comprehensive program to enable them to develop into outstanding cricketers whilst at the same time providing them with the tools they need to develop into well-rounded members of the community. The Academy provides youth with structure, discipline and personal development beyond cricket.
Lloyd Fray, President of the BCB stated, “The support of our young men from Western Counties and Ironshore is a great boost to the National Academy UK tour. I have been very encouraged by the hard work the boys and their parents have put into community projects to assist in the funding of this tour.
“The squad has been active in grocery packing, car washes, bake sales and holding a Super Six Tournament at Eastern Counties. I would also like to take this time to thank Somerset Cricket Club, Eastern Counties Cricket Association, the Market Place Heron Bay, and Esso City Tigermart Warwick for providing access for fundraising activities and the Hub for providing a phone for the Super Six Competition. This is a outstanding developmental opportunity for all the boys to experience cricket and culture in a different environment”
