Colas IOM Group has continued its support for Finch Hill Cricket Club by sponsoring a new range of junior coaching equipment.
Colas is a keen supporter of developing local sporting talent in the Island and the new equipment will help further Finch Hill’s junior cricket development – the team has four under-13 boys attending this summer’s IOM Cricket Development Programme and two boys in the Isle of Man Under-17s squad for this summer’s competition in Denmark.
Roy Corlett, Finch Hill’s Coach and Junior Development Manager, explained: ‘We are extremely grateful for our long-standing relationship with Colas. They have provided considerable support to us for many years now.
‘The funds have been used to invest in England and Wales Cricket Board coaching equipment which is designed to enable coaches to introduce variety and added enjoyment to coaching sessions, particularly with regard to juniors.
‘We have a number of very promising youngsters this year attending the IOM Cricket Development Programme who can hone their talents further with the new kit.’
Roy added: ‘Finch Hill has made a considerable investment during the last few years to try and improve junior facilities, as this is the feeder system for our adult teams. The policy is starting to work, as we’ve been able to enter two teams in the league this year, with juniors starting to feature prominently in the teams. Colas has provided us with the stability to really drive the Club forward.’
The new equipment includes various types of balls (cricket balls, rubber and tennis), fielding bats, catching mitts, fielding stumps, space markers, various equipment holdalls and bags. Designed for inside and outside use, they can be used all year around.
Colas Managing Director Steph Lowe said: ‘We are pleased to continue our support for Finch Hill as part of our corporate responsibility strategy. Developing local sporting talent is richly rewarding and the Isle of Man has a huge pool of talent across many sporting disciplines. We hope the new equipment will benefit all of the club’s members – and wish the boys competing in the IOM Cricket Development Programme the best of luck. We look forward to hearing how they get on.’
IOM Cricket Development Officer Gareth Dawson added: ‘Through help from companies like Colas we are investing in our local grass roots. This will pay dividends further down the line, with more young people qualifying for the IOM Cricket Development Programme in the future.’
Photo caption - Colas Commercial Marketing Manager Ian Dunbar (left) presents a cheque to Roy Corlett, Finch Hill Cricket Club’s Coach and Junior Development Manager, pictured with Finch Hill Juniors Matthew Quayle, Sam Riordan, Ewan Quayle, Harry Wilson and Eddie Beard.
