Bartercard teams up with Taranaki Cricket

An exciting new partnership between Bartercard New Zealand and the Taranaki Cricket Association will see Bartercard take on the naming rights sponsorship of the Taranaki Women’s team for the next three seasons.

The Bartercard Taranaki Women will play alongside other Central Districts cricket associations this summer for the Mike Shrimpton Trophy, a competition they finished second in last summer.

Last season Bartercard partnered with Taranaki Cricket’s junior representative programme and Taranaki & Manawatu Regional Manager Kim Olsen (pictured) said Bartercard had thoroughly enjoyed partnering with the junior teams but had seen an opportunity to take things to the next level.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the future growth of women’s cricket in Taranaki and see a mutually beneficial collaboration over the next three years.”

Taranaki Cricket General manager Ryan Evans said it was a positive step as TCA was working hard to bolster the women’s programme in the wake of New Zealand Cricket’s recent moves towards pay parity for female athletes and off the back of last year’s Cricket World Cup and the popularity of Super Smash double-header matches featuring the CD Hinds team at Pukekura Park.

“Bartercard are known around the country for their strong history of supporting sports, and we’re really pleased they’ve chosen to extend that support to our Taranaki Women’s side.

“We’re expecting big things ahead, with an exciting schedule and some top young players coming through off the back of a good campaign last summer.

 It’s a great time to be a women cricketer in Taranaki and we can’t wait to hit the field later this year with Bartercard’s support behind us.”

While the team’s schedule is still to be confirmed, it is expected to include a ground-breaking trip to the South Island for the team, with Nelson having joined the competition last season.