Purshouse Signs For Ireland

Purshouse Signs For Ireland

A proud Gareth signing on the dotted line on Saturday with NUSC President Alderman Dr Grenville Holland

Northern Universities Student Club-Community Cricketers Elite (NUSC) sponsored by Hilton Newcastle Gateshead today confirms Gareth Purshouse (Captain, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Scholar) has been given permission to sign for and represent Dublin University Cricket Club  (DUCC) throughout their 2011 season.

NUSCs links to Dublin cricket are well documented through their links with Leinster Cricket Union and Cricket Ireland’s Brian O’Rourke whose annual tours feature the whose who of Irish cricket including World Cup members George Dockrell and Kevin O’Brien.  DUCC has an incredible history dating back over 175 years with famous alumni in Ireland’s leading batsmen Ed Joyce and the opportunity to link up with such an iconic university presents more evidence as to NUSCs growing reputation.

John D Holland, NUSC Director of Cricket was pleased to see the deal finally sealed and enthusiastic as to the benefits it will bring adding “Dublin University is Ireland’s most iconic university so to be invited to link formally with them is another acknowledgement of NUSC incredible rise in cricket.  DUCC have an ambitious development plan and with the ‘can do, will do’ attitude they can achieve it.  By linking up now we can share experience, expertise and players to help make the opportunities for both sets of members simply superb.  Delighted Brian identified Gareth as the player to go over to Ireland in 2011 and I hope to learn from him of someone who can take the reverse journey in 2012”.

Brian O’Rourke outlined his reasons for helping link up NUSC and DUCC stating “I have enjoyed supporting NUSC development as it is an amazing story of determination to succeed against any odds while putting over £10,000 back into charities and local community projects is something I applaud them for doing.  The core skills of NUSC success is part of what I want to see happen at DUCC and by linking the two it allows both to foster long term relations over mutual development plans as for 2012 I would like to see DUCC top player join NUSCs programmes”. 

Mr O’Rourke added that Gareth was the perfect choice for DUCC in 2011.  “Gareth has one of only two centuries in the history of the prestigious Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Cricket Festivals which shows his cricket ability.  For NUSC to make him captain in his first year is testament to their belief in his character and to be awarded the Guy Hilton scholarship for 2011 shows the big impression he has made off the field”

Gareth Purshouse was clearly delighted to joining DUCC adding “it is another amazing opportunity that only NUSC could make possible.  I would like to thank not only John, NUSC and Hilton Newcastle Gateshead for their support but also Brian O’Rourke and DUCC for the trust they have shown in selecting me.  I look forward to joining them in April to help achieve their ambitious goals for 2011”

Gareth will be with his NUSC team mates on Saturday as the clubs Winter Training Programme continues at the Riverside.  He will also take his place as Captain of NUSCs entry into the prestigious Hilton Newcastle Gateshead’s Indoor Super 6s on Sunday.  There is no doubt that Gareth will attract greater interest in his performances but that might just help him to thrive even more. 

For exclusive media, image and video updates on NUSC throughout 2011 log onto www.cricketworld.com/nusc-ccelite/.  To learn more about DUCC and their scholarship programme for 2011 log onto http://www.cricket.tcdlife.ie/