JERSEY cricket’s membership of the ICC and positive moves to involve more young people in the game have been recognised by long-time sponsors NatWest with a new two-year deal worth £35,000.

Jerry Whitsey, Head of Marketing for NatWest, made the announcement of the new agreement at last night’s annual NatWest Awards dinner at the Grand Hotel.

He said, ‘We are delighted to demonstrate our continued commitment to the development of cricket in Jersey and are particularly pleased that the JCB plans include the development and coaching of young players through links with all Jersey schools.

In the UK, NatWest’s Inter-Cricket initiative has involved over 25,000 young people in the last three years and the bank is keen to support the increased interest in the game, after England’s recent success in regaining the Ashes.’ Jersey Cricket Board chairman Keith Dennis expressed his gratitude to NatWest for the additional financial support now ‘Jersey is an international cricket nation’, by virtue of its membership of the ICC.

NatWest has sponsored cricket in Jersey for 13 years and also supports local sport through its sponsorship of the NatWest Island Games and the NatWest Sports Development Scheme which recently brought footballer David Platt to Jersey to train local coaches.

NatWest will be sole sponsor of the newly-structured Premier and Division I Weekend Cricket League, with their associated secondary school links, the winter indoor league and the annual end of season NatWest cricket awards dinner.

The new two-year £35,000 sponsorship deal coincides with the 25th anniversary of NatWest’s association with English cricket – including the NatWest Trophy for 20 years from 1981, the ICC Cricket World Cup and the first title sponsor of the One Day International triangular competition – and with the transfer of responsibility for local cricket from the Jersey Cricket Association to the Jersey Cricket Board.

Chris Minty, Cricket Development Officer said, ‘The JCB is committed to developing cricket in the Island at all levels and improved club structures will be an important part of the process.

The Ashes victory has created huge interest in the game and our link with NatWest will help us take advantage of that.

Our membership of ICC brings more opportunities to play representative cricket and we are delighted that NatWest share our vision and will support us in these exciting times.’