England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) inks Metro Bank partnership

Metro Bank, a commercial banking institution established in the UK, has announced a cooperation agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the principal governing body of cricket in England and Wales, covering the England women’s national cricket team.

As a result of the agreement, Metro Bank has been named the first champion partner of women’s and girls’ cricket across all competition levels — from grassroots to Test matches. Additionally, the bank will support the Women’s Ashes and serve as its title sponsor. 

According to the contract between Metro Bank and the ECB, the former’s logo will be visible on the sleeves of the English women’s team jerseys with the start of the Women’s Ashes on June 22, 2023, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. 

The two organisations will look to accelerate the development and reinvent women’s cricket in England and Wales with the aid of this sharing. Additionally, the bank will have its brand properly visible across both national and international social games.

Clare Connor, ECB Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of England Women, said:

“Metro Bank share our passion, determination and energy to break down barriers and build on the huge progress we’ve made in women’s and girls’ cricket in recent years. We’re thrilled to welcome them on aboard as our first ever champion partner of women’s and girls’ cricket ahead of the highly anticipated Metro Bank Women’s Ashes Series, and are excited by the potential of what this partnership can achieve. Whilst we have seen a period of huge growth and increased profile across the women’s game, we know there is still much more to do to make our sport truly gender balanced. By working together with partners such as Metro Bank who share our ambition for the sport, I am confident we will make our sport more inclusive and inspire many more girls from all.”

Danielle Lee, Director of Brand and Marketing at Metro Bank, added:

“This is a real partnership with purpose built on Metro Bank’s commitments to local communities and diversity and inclusion. Sport acts as a catalyst, helping to increase confidence and social skills, and together with the ECB we will use the Fund to empower more women and girls to reach their full potential in cricket and beyond. We will do this by changing perceptions and providing women and girls with the means to overcome the obstacles to maximise their participation in this great sport. This partnership will help to deliver a lasting legacy for women’s and girls’ cricket.”