Strategic Leisure partnership a runaway success
A chance chat during a social training run led to a hugely successful long-running partnership between Cricket Shropshire and Strategic Leisure.
The Bridgnorth-based firm’s Managing Director Rachel Fowler was chatting to Cricket Shropshire’s Sheila Dickie during the run with Wrekin Roadrunners.
Sheila, who is now the Board’s Safeguarding Officer, asked Rachel if she ever sponsored groups involved in sport – the answer was yes.
Rachel soon found herself talking to Lead Officer Steve Reese which developed into a partnership which has seen Strategic Leisure supporting Women & Girls cricket in Shropshire for the past five years.
And Steve is in no doubt that the partnership has been a big factor in contributing to the huge growth in Women and Girls cricket in the county.
He said: “We have seen an incredible growth in Women and Girls cricket in recent years in Shropshire and now provide a year-round offer in both hard ball and soft ball competitions.
“There is no doubt that Strategic Leisure’s sponsorship thanks to Rachel has played a huge part in that.
“It has enabled us to buy equipment, organise extra competitions, pay for training of officials for the Women and Girls game and expand the range of competitions on offer across the county.
“Without the support we have received from Rachel, all this would not have been possible.”
Rachel is delighted to see the positive effects of the partnership between Strategic Leisure and Cricket Shropshire.
Strategic Leisure is a Sport, Leisure and Physical Activity management consultancy specialising in the planning, development, management and evaluation of sport, leisure and physical activity facilities, services and events.
Rachel said: “What attracted me to the idea in the first place was that the opportunity was to get involved in Shropshire where the company was based.
“Secondly, it involved getting more women and girls involved in sport through participation. I have spent my career working in the development of sport and physical activity and I just know the benefits sport has given to me as an individual.
“It has been a really good partnership with Cricket Shropshire and I have seen what a big impact it has had on participation amongst women and girls.
“I get invited along to present trophies and medals for competitions and people are so grateful and thankful for the support we give which is great to see.
“What I really admire is that all the women and girls give it a go, support each other and appear to be really enjoying it, even if they have never been active sports participants previously. Seeing the togetherness and their achievements is wonderful.”
Rachel and Strategic Leisure are planning to continue their support of Women and Girls cricket in Shropshire.
There are lots of other sponsorship opportunities available with Cricket Shropshire, to find out more details see the Board’s website https://cricketshropshire.co.uk/sponsorship/ or email admin@shropshirecricketboard.co.uk
Investing in sports such as cricket can help companies to align their business with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by making a commitment to their community and wider society.
