Bears Women have signed a landmark partnership with leading automotive retailer Vertu to become the team’s first front-of-shirt sponsor.
Vertu – which has more than 200 dealerships across England and Scotland – has agreed a contract to front Bears Women’s Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup shirts in their debut 2025 season.
The company is no stranger to cricket having partnered with Somerset, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire but it’s their first foray into prime position shirt sponsorship.
Vertu owns nearby Bristol Street Motors – which will soon be rebranded under the Vertu banner – and Chief Executive Robert Forrester said he’s excited by the opportunities the partnership promises.
He said: “We are delighted to embark on a new partnership with Edgbaston and the Bears ahead of what promises to be another hugely exciting season in English cricket.
“To join forces with such an iconic venue is something we are extremely excited about, particularly given our own historic links to the Midlands area through the Bristol Street Motors brand.
“As we now head into a new era as Vertu, we are also proud to throw our support behind the Bears Women as they embark on their maiden season in Tier 1 and wish them plenty of success during the year ahead.”
Bears Women make their debut this summer as one of eight new Tier 1 teams that will play in a revamped national women’s cricket structure.
They are set to make their debut on 23 April at Edgbaston, where Vertu branding will be visible throughout the season, against Hampshire Women in the One Day Cup.
Edgbaston Head of Partnerships Ben Seifas, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce our first-ever front of shirt partnership with Vertu for Bears Women. It marks a significant milestone in our journey.
“We are proud to align with a brand that shares our commitment to excellence, growth, and community. Together with Vertu, we look forward to achieving great things together on and off the pitch.”
The partnership with Edgbaston and Bears Women is the latest for Vertu in the West Midlands, with similar agreements already in place with Birmingham City Football Club and the Droitwich-based EXCELR8 British Touring Car Championship team.
Bears Women will compete for trophies on three fronts in 2025: Vitality Blast, Metro Bank One Day Cup, and for the first time a knockout competition, the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, featuring sides from all three tiers of the national system.
Find out more about Bears Women visit edgbaston.com/bearswomen.
2025 Membership
It’s an historic year for the Club in 2025, as Bears Men and Women will compete side-by-side. Bears together.
Join the journey with Memberships available, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
