Winning Ways Continue With New Digicel WICB Partnership
Growing the next great West Indian cricketers
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket in the West Indies looks set to continue its winning ways with the news that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has inked an exciting new agreement with Digicel.
With rising stars like Carlos Brathwaite, Hayley Matthews and Shimron Hetmyer having made a name for themselves on the global stage with their stunning world-beating performances at the World Championships, the next four years of partnership between Digicel and the WICB look brighter than ever.
As the biggest supporter of cricket across the region for the last 12 years, this time around Digicel will be helping to grow the already massive appeal of the game by sponsoring the women's and U19s teams – in addition to the men's senior team.
Another major part of Digicel's new commitment to West Indies Cricket will be the coaching clinics that will be developed across the Caribbean to find and nurture the cricket stars of the future – as well as a strong mix of branding and advertising at home games, activations, promotional opportunities and more access to the teams. And, for the first time ever, the Digicel logo will also have a presence on all West Indies team's jerseys at ICC events.
Digicel's commitment will help the strategic growth of the WICB's business and provide greater engagement for fans and benefits to Digicel customers. This includes the support of the long form of the game, and the future of Test Cricket, and this will play out with the broadcasting of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day Competition set to start later this year.
John Delves, Chief Commercial Officer at Digicel Group, comments, "Our aim with all of our community and sponsorship initiatives is to support our customers and the things that they love and identify with most – and one of those things is cricket. The game of cricket has a long and fascinating history in the Caribbean uniting the people of the islands and the islands themselves through a shared passion and a competitive thrill."
He continues, "The stunning recent successes of the men, women's and U19s teams have once again broadened the appeal of the game and excited new audiences. We are delighted to be involved now with all of the WICB teams and particularly pleased to be partnering on the coaching clinics which will help to nurture future champions from the Caribbean."
Michael Muirhead, Chief Executive Officer at the WICB, says, "As part of the WICB's plan to expand its commercial business, a key component of this strategy was the renewal of the relationship with our long term and valued team sponsor. The new partnership meets a number of our strategic commercial goals, and we are delighted to be continuing our long association with Digicel. Over the past 12 years, Digicel has demonstrated its love of the game of cricket and has helped to bring new excitement to our passionate fans. This new era sees an expanded level of support for all of our teams and a focus on growing the next wave of Caribbean cricket champions in all formats.
"In addition, our commercial agency, Pitch International, has been key to this renewal of this new look partnership."
About Digicel Group
Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors Vanuatu cricket.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
About WICB
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is the governing body for amateur and professional cricket in the West Indies. Its teams participate in all three known formats of the game and in 2016 has won world titles in the Under 19 (ODI); Women (T20) and Men (T20). That record is unprecedented. The WICB celebrates 90 as an ICC member country in May this year.
Contact:
Antonia Graham – Digicel
+1 876 564 1708
antonia.graham@digicelgroup.com
Carole Beckford – WICB
+1 268 736 2596
cbeckford@windiescricket.com
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