Toyota is committing to an £800,000 four-year investment into grassroots cricket in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for All Stars Cricket.
The eight-week programme backed by the ECB encourages 5-8 year olds to participate in cricket, which will now be supported through Toyota’s investment enabling 4,000 children to gain free access to All Stars Cricket via free bursary placements.
In addition to the bursaries, Toyota’s dealerships will also play a supporting role in growing All Stars Cricket among local communities, such as at centre sign-ups and to introduce more volunteers and host clubs to the programme.
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 receive branding across All Stars marketing and promotional materials, including on t-shirts that will be distributed to children participating in the programme.
Furthermore, the car dealership is now the title partner of the ECB’s ‘Get Set Weekend’. Taking place on 5-6 April, the initiative has been a preseason focal point for clubs across England and Wales to prepare for the season ahead.
Aimed at readying facilities and inspiring new and existing volunteers to spend time at their local club, the initiative invites cricket clubs nationwide to participate in the preparation of the grassroots season.
Scott Thompson, President and Managing Director of Toyota GB, added: “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.”
