Toyota Ireland has announced that it has become the new Official Car Sponsor to Cricket Ireland.
The three year deal will see Toyota providing a fleet of vehicles to Cricket Ireland including the Avensis and the Auris, to support the operational and business needs of Cricket Ireland, and to also support the strategic development programme for the sport in Ireland.
Commenting on today's announcement, Ian Corbett, Marketing Operations Manager for Toyota Ireland said, "We, at Toyota Ireland, are delighted to announce this sponsorship with Cricket Ireland. Cricket Ireland has emerged as a top class professional sporting organisation. Its strategic plan to 2015 is ambitious and focused and we look forward to supporting their efforts to grow and strengthen the game in Ireland.
Our aim is to support cricket at elite level in Ireland's drive towards qualification to future World Cups but also at grassroots where the cricket development programme is increasing participation in the sport right across Ireland."
Also commenting Dennis Cousins, Head of Commercial, Cricket Ireland said:
"Cricket Ireland are delighted to welcome Toyota on board as our new Official Car Sponsor. Toyota's national presence and popularity supports our plans to build on the increased levels of interest, participation and coverage of cricket throughout Ireland. We are excited about this new relationship which brings together two organizations who have great heritage in Ireland, and who are both committed to continuous improvement and excellence with equally matched high ambitions. We look forward to working with Toyota into the future on our journey to becoming a Full Member Test Nation."
The Irish Cricket Team are ranked number 10 in the world in T20 Cricket and recently competed in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in Sept/October 2012. The team are ranked No.11 in 50 over cricket while the Irish Women's team are ranked No.10. Ireland is also the top associate cricket nation in the world.
The Irish team will host England in the one day RSA Challenge match in Malahide on 3rd Sept 2013 which will be televised live on Sky Sports. The Irish team will also play a number of other fixtures against test nations next year in addition to World Cup Qualifiers and ICC Inter-Continental Cup Matches.
There are currently over 34,000 actively participating in cricket in Ireland with in the region of 140 Cricket Clubs and over 900 Senior and Junior teams in all of Ireland.
