Redlands Sharks Cricket Club is set to receive a boost in funding and brand new cricket gear, after being awarded a CommBank Cricket Club Sponsorship spanning two years.
On November 3, members of the cricket club met with CommBank Victoria Point Branch Manager, Lauren Blewitt, where they formally established a two-year partnership which includes financial funding, as well as much needed cricket gear and merchandise.
Now in its third year, the CommBank Cricket Club Sponsorship program provides clubs with two years of funding worth $2000 each year, along with new equipment for training and matches.
CommBank is Cricket Australia’s longest-standing partner and has provided close to one million dollars over the past four years to local cricket clubs. CommBank’s support of the game is particularly focused on local grassroots clubs, the women’s national team, Indigenous cricket and players with disabilities.
Branch Manager of Commonwealth Bank Victoria Point, Lauren Blewitt said CommBank was delighted to lend its support to the Redlands Sharks Cricket Club.
“It’s great to be able to help Redlands Sharks Cricket Club because we know they do an excellent job in supporting local cricketers. They are clearly very worthy recipients of our sponsorship and we’re thrilled to have established a partnership with them.”
Ellyse Perry, who has scored in excess of 2,600 runs and taken more than 200 wickets for Australia, said local cricket clubs were the lifeblood of the game.
“I’m a proud CommBank ambassador and this program is one of the main reasons I got on board,” Ellyse said.
“A lot of local clubs struggle to make ends meet, so the funding and equipment CommBank provides can make a huge difference. I love cricket and I want to see as many people as possible enjoying the game. CommBank’s support helps local clubs provide more equipment, more guidance and more opportunities for more players. It’s an important program and I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
Captain of the Australian men’s cricket team, Steve Smith is also a vocal supporter of the CommBank cricket club sponsorship program.
“If I wasn’t playing representative cricket, I’d still be swinging a bat for the Illawong-Menai Cricket Club in Sydney’s southern suburbs,” he said.
“Boys, girls, men and women across the country are able to get together with friends and play the game they love because of the hard work and dedication of Australia’s local cricket clubs.
“CommBank’s support of local clubs is one of Australian cricket’s longest-standing and most important partnerships, and it’s great to see it continuing for yet another season.”
Applications for the latest round of CommBank Cricket Club Sponsorships opened on November 3 to local cricket clubs across Australia. To apply for a 2017 CommBank Cricket Club Sponsorship, visit www.commbank.com.au/cricket.
