IRELAND’S CRICKETERS HAVE scored another big win with the news that insurance giant RSA Ireland has extended its sponsorship until 2015.
The new four-year deal, described by RSA chief executive Philip Smith as a “significant” expansion, will help to fund new domestic competitions and grassroots programmes as well as supporting Ireland’s national squads.
This morning’s announcement comes not long after Ireland’s latest international success, a win at last month’s World T20 Qualifying Tournament which reinforced their position as the world’s top non-Test nation.
One of the new domestic competitions to be funded by RSA’s sponsorship is an inter-provincial tournament which looks likely to be initially phased in as a “North v South” match in both the 50-over and 20-over formats.
Preliminary talks with the three major unions — Leinster Cricket Union, Northern Cricket Union and Northwest Cricket Union — are already underway with view to fully developing the “provincial” element from next year onwards, though the dates and format are still to be finalised.
The partnership includes funding for a new national grassroots programme, titled “Get Into Cricket”, which will promote underage training and playing activities in schools and clubs. RSA will also become the official partner for a proposed annual award ceremony as well as for the national side’s marquee matches, starting with June’s ODI against Australia in Stormond.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom paid tribute to RSA’s role in the growth and development of the sport since 2008.
“When we entered into our partnership in 2008, we had nothing more than one, albeit memorable, occasion to pin our hopes on — that memorable day against Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day 2007.
We could provide no guarantees for the future about matches against test nations, participation in World Cups, team exposure, or being at the centre of glorious nights in Irish history. But RSA showed faith in us and gave us the chance to be better.Four years down the line, I’m proud to say that we have repaid their faith and their investment, and we have been able to turn aspiration into fact.
