Sandwell College is behind the Bears’ Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign after being unveiled as the Club’s new back-of-shirt sponsor.
The College will feature on the reverse of the Bears royal blue shirt which they’ll wear for the first time when Mark Robinson’s side travel to Somerset on Friday (4 Aug) to start their 50-over competition.
It’s the latest link between the Club and Sandwell College which have established close ties in recent years.
The College runs the Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme – based at the Club’s Indoor Centre – which offers BTEC courses aimed at students considering careers in sports coaching, marketing, psychology, nutrition, and a range of other professions.
More than 40 teenagers are now studying for BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Sports Development & Coaching and Sports & Exercise Science – and it’s looking to further expand in its third year from September.
Bears players Che Simmons, Hamza Shaikh and Amir Khan – part of the Bears One Day Cup squad – are among the current cohort who are combining education with playing cricket and benefitting from coaching at Edgbaston.
Scott Thomas, Head of Sport at Sandwell College, said the sponsorship further strengthens the partnership.
He added: “It’ll be a proud moment when the players first take to the field in a Bears shirt sporting the Sandwell College name.
“The sponsorship feels like a natural progression on the back of the success of the Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme. Together we want to spread the word about the college’s work and the career opportunities we’re creating with the support of the Club.”
Recruitment for the Programme’s 2023-24 cohort is now open. If you are interested in joining the programme or hearing more about it, click here to register your interest.
Enter the Ballot for 2024 Major Match tickets
Edgbaston is set for another stunning summer of men’s and women’s international cricket with Pakistan and West Indies heading to Birmingham in 2024, plus the return of Finals Day.
Fans can now enter the Ballot for the best chance to get access to tickets for matches in 2024. Or beat any Ballot process with Priority Club Membership, which is on sale now for only £25.