Chance To Shine Welcomes Cook For Launch

Alastair Cook launched Chance to Shine’s five-year official kit supplier deal with Gray-Nicolls, visiting the Gray-Nicolls factory with pupils from Robertsbridge Community College, where students prepared the England captain’s bat. 

The partnership is an opportunity to inspire future generations of cricketers and is part of the charity’s mission to spread the power of cricket.

As part of the agreement, Gray-Nicolls will provide kit to the county cricket boards and coaches who deliver Chance to Shine and will make a donation to the charity for every item sold.

In addition, Gray-Nicolls ambassadors, including Jonathan Bairstow, Alastair Cook, Alex Hales and Lauren Winfield will continue to get behind the Chance to Shine campaign.

Speaking at the event, Alastair Cook, said: “Chance to Shine do a fantastic job getting cricket back into state schools. Cricket has to be available for every single person, every single kid to try. Three million children is an extraordinary number.”

“As we all know, with cricket you need equipment, and why not get involved with the best company around in Gray-Nicolls.”Luke Swanson, Chance to Shine chief executive added: “Gray-Nicolls is a family company with a unique heritage in cricket stretching back more than 140 years. We can’t claim such a tradition, but we do share a deep commitment to inspiring each new generation to play and learn through cricket.”

“It is fitting that England’s captain and all-time leading test run-scorer – and a long-time Chance to Shine ambassador – should launch this new partnership. The support of such icons of the game gives us great confidence that we can spread the power of cricket to many more young players, schools and communities.”