ECB Extend Kingfisher Sponsorship Deal

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced Kingfisher Beer as the headline sponsor for the National Club Championship for the next three years and that the competition will be renamed the Kingfisher Beer Cup.

The Kingfisher Beer Cup will continue to be the pinnacle of club cricket in England and Wales where the best club sides across the country compete for a financial prize and the title of Kingfisher Beer Cup national club champions. 

The knock out competition, which is open to ECB Premier League clubs and lower league clubs alike, was won by Shrewsbury Cricket Club last year at The County Ground, Derbyshire.

256 teams will play in the first round of the 2012 Kingfisher Beer Cup on 29th April with the final scheduled for 16th September at a First Class County ground.

Kingfisher has long been associated with cricket internationally, most recently sponsoring India’s tour of England. With an established international presence in cricket Kingfisher are keen to extend their links by investing in the recreational game.

Laura Mitchell, Marketing Manager for Kingfisher Beer Europe said: “As India’s No. 1 beer, cricket has long been a core passion for Kingfisher in its home market. We are therefore excited to build the brand’s association with ECB recreational cricket and plan to drive investment into the sport through a number of fundraising initiatives for clubs through the Kingfisher Beer Cup. In addition to this, we are delighted to be able to offer the 2012 winning team £5,000 to invest in their club as they see fit. Good luck to all participating clubs.”

ECB Commercial Director John Perera said: “We are delighted to welcome Kingfisher Beer as sponsor of the National Club Championship which will now be known as the Kingfisher Beer Cup. It will be an excellent boost for the competition to have a sponsor that is committed to supporting cricket clubs at a recreational level and the valuable pairing of Kingfisher Beer and club cricket will benefit both sponsor and clubs across England and Wales.”