ECB & Natwest Expand Long-running Partnership

28 Jul 2016 | tshego

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that NatWest will become its principal partner, building on over 35 years of collaboration and see NatWest enhance its support of cricket at all levels.

The four-year deal, which starts in May 2017 means that by 2020 the brand will have been supporting cricket in England and Wales for 40 years.

Under the new, expanded partnership NatWest will support efforts to drive participation with amateur clubs and leagues and strengthen the connection between cricket fans and the England men’s, women’s, age-group and national disability teams; NatWest’s brand will also be on all these England team shirts.

This agreement builds on NatWest’s previous commitment to supporting key cricket projects including the NatWest CricketForce, the ECB’s volunteering initiative.

Tom Harrison, ECB, chief executive officer said: “Today’s announcement heralds an exciting new era for our relationship with NatWest and the way we promote the game. They have been one of cricket’s biggest supporters, partnering different cricket competitions and programmes for four decades.

“This will be the first time they have been our lead commercial partner; helping to support the game in all its forms, at all levels. It’s an exciting prospect and their investment will help to fuel the game.

“Our current England teams’ sponsor Waitrose has provided outstanding support and we will continue to work closely and productively with them until our partnership ends next spring.”

David Wheldon, chief marketing officer, NatWest said: “Ever since we first established the NatWest Trophy in conjunction with the ECB in 1980, cricket has been ingrained in the DNA of NatWest and I am delighted that we will be re-invigorating this partnership by becoming the ECB’s first ever principal partner.

“There’s an immense amount to be excited about in cricketing circles at the moment, and this sponsorship means NatWest can support a sport which means so much to our customers and businesses. Through this partnership we will be able to help local communities and also celebrate success at all levels of the game. NatWest is proud to be part of the fabric and future of the game in England and Wales.”