New partnership will drive cricket forward

Cricket Shropshire and Furrows have forged a new partnership to help drive forward the recreational game in the county.

The support from the car dealership will help the Board launch the new East Shropshire Evening League which is planned for this Summer. Furrows have also agreed to support Cricket Shropshire’s girls’ softball festivals offer this Summer.

Cricket Shropshire lead officer Steve Reese said: “It’s great to see such a prominent Shropshire company stepping up to help support the recreational cricket game in the county.

“Our mission statement is to sustain and grow the game of cricket in Shropshire, and support from companies like Furrows helps us enhance and improve our offer, and we can continue to work towards our vision of making cricket the most inclusive team game.

“The backing will help us launch the new Furrows East Shropshire Evening League to serve part of the county which has previously not had such an offer for teams and clubs to enter.

“And we have seen a huge growth in women and girls’ cricket in Shropshire in recent years, mainly thanks to Strategic Leisure who have been and remain prominent supporters of the women and girls programme.

“The support from Furrows will also help us enhance our girls’ softball festivals which we offer on weekends throughout the Summer." 

Dan Foskett, group car sales manager at Furrows, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the new Furrows East Shropshire Evening League - a competitive yet inclusive cricket league designed to engage players of all skill levels.

“Additionally, we are proud to support Cricket Shropshire’s girls’ softball festivals taking place this summer, which are aimed at encouraging more young girls to participate in cricket.

“Together, these events represent a fantastic opportunity to promote the growth and accessibility of cricket throughout Shropshire, nurturing the next generation of players and fans.”

The aim of the league is to complement the existing Shrewsbury & District Evening League which has been running for many years serving the central and western areas of Shropshire. There are already eight teams signed up to take part in the first season and meetings have been held to agree the structure and fixtures.

Steve said: “The aim of this league is to make it easier for clubs on the eastern side of the county to play midweek cricket by reducing logistics such as travelling time which discouraged some from joining the existing leagues.

 “We hope with this initiative we will also be able to attract some of those players who have left the traditional formats but still have an affinity with the game, getting siblings playing alongside parents, while also increasing female participation.”

Pictured: Cricket Shropshire’s women and girls’ recreational cricket officer Katie Rushton and Furrows business development manager Hayley Jay