Bears launch T20 community programme with Birmingham City Council
With just 10 days to go until the start of the NatWest T20 Blast, Warwickshire County Cricket Club has revealed a new Birmingham Bears T20 community programme with Birmingham City Council.
In partnership with Birmingham City Council’s Health & Wellbeing Service, the Club is running free cricket coaching at Edgbaston for local youngsters every Friday – from 13 May – in addition to family cricket sessions in the nearby Cannon Hill Park and Calthorpe Park later in the season.
The Club is also investing in new cricket equipment for inner-city schools and youth clubs, whilst Edgbaston will also host the finals of eight local cricket competitions, which will give more than 100 recreational cricketers the chance to play at the legendary international venue this season. Three school competitions will also be played at Edgbaston.
Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “The local community and the recreational game is at the heart of everything that we do, and this new T20 programme provides a great platform for people of all ages to play, follow and enjoy cricket.
“T20 cricket is the fastest form of the game and we’ve made great strides in making our games at Edgbaston even more accessible, with tickets completely free for under 16s and a cash back initiative for local cricket clubs.
“We’re thrilled to work with Birmingham City Council on this year’s campaign and we thank them for the great support for our community programme.”
John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Warwickshire CCC is one of the biggest sports clubs in the country and it’s fantastic that we can work together on the new Birmingham Bears T20 community programme, which aims to get people of all ages active through cricket.
“Edgbaston is at the heart of Birmingham and we’re very proud that it continues to host the biggest fixtures in the game. We hope that this new programme can inspire many more people in the city to get involved in the sport.”
For further information on the free cricket coaching, family sessions and T20 community programme, please contact the Warwickshire Cricket Board on 0121 446 3651 or email admin@birminghamnewsroom.com.
Birmingham Bears play seven NatWest T20 group games at Edgbaston, with the first being the West Midlands derby against Worcestershire Rapids on Friday 27 May.
The matches on Sunday 19 June and Sunday 17 July have been confirmed as double header days that include a Birmingham Bears men’s and women’s fixture.
All adult tickets are priced at £19 in advance and £23 on the day of the match, whilst under 16s are completely FREE at all times. To purchase, please visit www.birminghambears.com or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 1902.
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Picture Caption (left to right)
Birmingham Bears players Josh Poysden, Freddie Coleman, Jonathon Webb and Mark Adair launch the new T20 Community Programme in front of the Library of Birmingham lit-up in Bears’ colours.
For further media information, please contact Tom Rawlings on 0121 446 3657 / 07770 728409 or email admin@birminghamnewsroom.com.
