National Bank Cricket Grants Still Up For Grabs

National Bank Cricket Grants Still Up For Grabs

There’s still time for cricket cubs, players and fans to hit a six with a grant from the National Bank Cricket Grants Scheme.

More than 200 applications have been received so far for the scheme, from club cricketers, and a few backyard heroes, and fans of all ages from across New Zealand. But there is still time for more applications before mid February 2010

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in three categories: fans, clubs and social players Cricket lovers can still make a grant application by getting online to www.nationalcricketclub.co.nz

The National Bank Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor says that the majority of applications received so far are from schools and cricket clubs needing new gear.

“One five-year-old child playing on a team with older kids couldn’t fit the large sized uniforms. He said he wasn’t worried about playing with bigger kids, or being unable to score any runs or bowl the length of the pitch, but felt that a grant for a proper fitting uniform might help ‘especially having a helmet that didn’t spin on this head every time he moved’.

“Another applicant applied for a grant for gear because they were using a wheelie bin for wickets and a piece of ply wood for a bat!

“The National Bank has been involved in supporting and growing cricket for more than 10 years. By supporting young people in particular we are ‘giving back’ to the code in the aim of further enhancing the development of cricket nationwide,” said Ms McGregor.

Grants will be awarded by a panel of judges. All entries are shown online and there is an opportunity for people to vote on their favourite entry. More than 10,000 votes have already been made. These votes will be taken into consideration in the final judging. Winners will be announced in late February 2010.

The National Bank has been the Official Bank of New Zealand Cricket and sponsor of The National Bank Series (the home international series) for ten years.

ENDS

© Scoop Media