Sun Life Financial of Canada today announced that it is to sponsor the Under 15 Club Championship for the 2001 season. It means that the company will be title sponsors of the competition for 17 consecutive years, having started its association in 1985.

The Under 15 Club Championship has been in existence since 1972, when it was initiated by the Lord's Taverners; Sun Life Financial of Canada took over sponsorship of the competition from Debenham Tewson & Chinnocks.

Under the auspices of Sun Life Financial of Canada the competition has grown from an entry of 817 clubs in 1985, when Walsall CC won, to the 1479 entrants for this year's tournament.

The tournament has featured in the development of a number of England cricketers such as Nasser Hussain, Marcus Trescothick, Graham Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff.

Commenting on the championship, Steve Melcher, Managing Director of Sun Life Financial of Canada, said: "Sun Life Financial of Canada is pleased to be continuing its support of the Under 15 Club Cricket Championship. It has supported grassroots cricket for 16 years now and is proud to be sustaining this investment in support of the future of British cricket.

"Sun Life Financial of Canada has over many years placed great emphasis on supporting youth sport in this country. It recognises the benefits and values a large employer can have and strongly believes it has an active role to play. These are exciting but challenging times for British sport. But we will only succeed if there is a strong commitment from government, schools, the community and the private sector. Through our involvement in the Under 15 Club Championships, we believe we are making our own contribution."

Tim Lamb, ECB's Chief Executive, said, "I am delighted that Sun Life Financial of Canada has decided to continue sponsorship of this tournament. We all know that grass roots development is vital for the future of the game, both in terms of producing the next generation of players as well as new spectators and cricket enthusiasts, and this competition plays an important role.

"The Sun Life Financial of Canada Under 15 Club Championship provides a focal point for Under 15 club cricket in this country. It gives the players something to aim for in their season and teaches them about both winning and losing. Club cricket in England and Wales would be poorer without it."

The announcement was made at the finals of this season's tournament, at Basingstoke Cricket Club, in front of an audience which included England captain Nasser Hussain and West Indian batsman Brian Lara.

The four finalists in the 2000 competition are Banstead Cricket Club (Surrey), Diss Cricket Club (Norfolk), Denby Cricket Club (Derbyshire) and Locks Heath Cricket Club (Hampshire). Matches are 20 overs-a-side with a limit of four overs maximum per bowler.

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For further information, please contact Mark Hodgson, ECB Corporate Affairs on 020 7432 1251 / 07767 764 947. E-mail: mark.hodgson@ecb.co.uk

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