Students will continue to benefit after the signing of a new two-year deal between De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC).
DMU has renewed its sponsorship to continue as Leicestershire’s Official Club Partner as the cricket club enters one of the most exciting periods in its 137-year history.
There are lots of developments at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road including the installation of floodlights, improved broadcasting facilities, new stands and Wi-Fi. The club has also landed the chance to host the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2017 and is set to host an Elton John concert in the summer.
Under the new sponsorship deal, Leicestershire CCC’s first team will play in shirts emblazoned with DMU’s logo and the university will become the main sponsor of the club’s revamped Members’ stand. Student players from DMU will get first-class coaching from LCCC’s coaching squad, use the nets at the club and get free tickets to some games.
LCCC and DMU are also working together to launch a women’s cricket team. With an England Women’s one-day international being played at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road in 2016 and the ICC Women’s World Cup coming to Leicester the following year, these are exciting times for the women’s game in the region.
And DMU’s First XI will take centre stage in the first ever floodlit NatWest T20 Blast match at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road on Friday, May 20 as they take on Leicester University in the Varsity fixture ahead of the Foxes game against Northants Steelbacks.
LCCC chairman Paul Haywood and Leicestershire CCC players and coaches visited DMU today (Friday, March 4) for the official signing of the deal.
De Montfort University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard said: "We are very proud of our partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which will offer unrivalled opportunities to our students. Our cricket teams have told me how much they have benefited from the regular coaching and we are pleased to be working together to establish a women's team for the first time.
"Our partnership has also helped students develop their career skills with roles including working on the upcoming Elton John concert and promoting the cricket club's work in the community.
"These are exciting times for Leicestershire CCC under Wasim's dynamic leadership. We look forward to the new season at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road and cheering on our cricketers in their annual Varsity match against the University of Leicester on 20 May."
Leicestershire County Cricket Club Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “Our significant partnership with De Montfort University continues to go from strength to strength. To have De Montfort University on board for a further two years is vital for Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
“The partnership that we have is unique because we work alongside students in a number of different ways. The DMU cricket team has had coaching from our professional players and coaches, we are helping DMU establish a women’s cricket team and we are again holding the Varsity match at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road.
“Leicestershire County Cricket Club has again worked with De Montfort University in helping students get real life experience through the DMU Graduate Champions and Frontrunner schemes. Those students have been helping our commercial team on a number of different projects, including the Elton John concert.
“We also work with different faculties, including DMU’s School for Journalism, on various projects. It is great to have such a strong connection with De Montfort University and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership for at least the next two years.”
Among the highlights of the partnership deal are:
• A DMU student to be chosen as 12th man during the Pakistan v Sri Lanka game
• Tickets for DMU staff and students
• Coaching from the LCCC team for student players
• DMU Cricket First XI to spend a day in the life of a professional cricketer
• A women’s cricket club launched at DMU with sessions run by Leicestershire CCC
• £25 season ticket offer for DMU students
• Graduate Champions, DMU’s employability programme, to be promoted to Leicestershire’s members, sponsors and partners
• Leicestershire CCC players to continue to train at DMU’s Queen Elizabeth II Gym
The partnership will also include DMU branding around the ground and in club publications. Earlier this year, Leicestershire announced its home would be known as the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road, after signing a five-year deal with Fischer Future Heat.
Posted on Friday 4 March 2016