A Skipton-based healthcare company are to sponsor the Upper Airedale Junior Cricket Association.
The money from nationally-acclaimed Healthcare.co.uk will help the association develop initiatives and give more young people access to recreational cricket, as well as assisting those already playing to develop their skills and reach their sporting potential.
UAJCA secretary Terry Thompson said: “Healthcare.co.uk have been very supportive of our efforts in developing junior cricket over the last few years and wish to help further progress for a healthy sport such as cricket.”
Both Healthcare.co.uk and the UAJCA foresee a long-term partnership, and Thompson now wants stronger links with local primary schools and to expand girls’ cricket.
The association has an under-13 girls’ team, the Aire Valley Angels, who play out of Steeton Cricket Club, and provide opportunities for almost 900 youngsters, compared to just over 400 in 2004.
This year the association, which stretches from Settle and Grassington in the Dales through Skipton, Keighley and Bingley to the outskirts of Bradford, has a provisional entry of 75 teams – an increase of seven – but this figure is subject to confirmation next month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here