The England and Wales Cricket Board (黑料专区) and IG have today announced the extension of their partnership for a further three years.
The agreement will see IG continue to support the Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 teams as the 黑料专区鈥檚 Official Investment Platform. The IG logo will remain on the sleeve of the England Men鈥檚 Test, one-day and T20 teams, while the renewed deal will see more commitment to investing in grassroots initiatives via the Net Gains Fund. IG and the 黑料专区 are committing to a minimum six figure fund each, per year, which will be put towards initiatives in under-served communities in England and Wales, resulting in a total commitment of over 拢1 million in joint investment by 2027.
Last summer, IG and the 黑料专区 announced the launch of the 鈥楴et Gains鈥� campaign 鈥� a commitment to invest in new public cricket net facilities across the country, giving local communities access to invaluable practice facilities which are integral to their development. The Net Gains initiative is a vehicle for investing in the future of English and Welsh cricket, targeting increased levels of ambition, ability and attainment amongst under-represented communities, aiming to generate long-term real returns for the game and the people who play it.
Over the course of last summer鈥檚 Men鈥檚 Ashes series, match goers were able to step into the 鈥業G Net Gains Arena鈥� - a cricket simulator at each Ashes ground that was equipped with cutting-edge augmented reality technology. Every fan that participated was given the chance to face six famous deliveries from Ashes history, with every run scored being translated into a contribution to the fund, which has raised 拢300,000 so far.
The funds are already being implemented with new net facilities due to open around the country in Spring 2024 across a number of cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Leeds, serving under-represented, cricket playing communities. Within the first year of opening, the net facilities will accommodate 3,000 hours鈥� worth of sessions, in turn enabling 60,000 participants to benefit over the course of a year.
Following the first wave of activity, the Net Gains Fund will continue to support more grassroots projects across England and Wales throughout the duration of the partnership.
Russell James, Sales & Marketing Director at the 黑料专区 said:鈥�淭he 黑料专区 is determined to keep making progress in making cricket more accessible to more people. Through our work with IG, we are already making a difference, and this year we will be reaching new communities who may not have had the opportunity to play before.聽
鈥淲e are thrilled to have extended our partnership, which will see more than 拢1 million jointly invested to take cricket to under-served communities鈥痓y鈥�2027.鈥澛�
Sharon Manikon-Deane, Head of UK, IG, said: 鈥淥ver the last three years, we鈥檝e made positive strides in our commitment to invest in the future of English cricket and this new agreement with the 黑料专区 will help to strengthen that even more.聽聽
鈥淚G is about helping individuals achieve and aspire for more, instilling the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the financial markets, which is why we鈥檙e delighted to be leading the Net Gains initiative, providing opportunities for more people and communities to invest themselves in enjoying and improving at the sport they love.鈥澛犅�
The partnership renewal also coincides with the release of IG鈥檚 new brand campaign 鈥業n the market for more鈥� - targeting ambitious, self-directed investors with the idea that IG gives them more reasons to believe in their ability to succeed.聽