Cricket Ireland and Ulster University have announced a new partnership which will see Ulster University become the Official Northern Ireland University to Cricket Ireland.
The deal echoes a similar relationship with DCU in Dublin as the sport continues to build the right structures to sustain its rapid growth over the past decade.
As part of the two-year agreement, Cricket Ireland will enhance its level of support for training and development of its players, coaches and managers through access to the university’s specialist sporting facilities, staff and resources.
As part of a partnership between Cricket Ireland, the Northern Cricket Union, Antrim & Newtownabbey Council, Cliftonville Cricket Club and the University, over £100,000 of facility development has been completed at the Jordanstown campus, where new outdoor artificial practice and playing surfaces have been laid to complement an array of indoor halls currently used by cricketers at all levels.
The collaboration with Ulster University will also provide academic opportunities for elite cricket players based in the Ulster region.
The agreement will see Cricket Ireland contracted players, Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial players and members of the Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy have access to world class training facilities at the University’s three sports facilities.
“This new partnership with Ulster University is extremely important to our athletes based in the North and North-West, and we are extremely excited by the opportunities which will emanate from the agreement,” said Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director with Cricket Ireland.
“Our National Performance Squad, Inter-Provincial and Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy players will benefit from using both the indoor and outdoor training facilities and strength and conditioning gyms at the University of Ulster’s campuses in Jordanstown, Coleraine and Magee, which is of great support to their future development.”
“We also hope that more of our young talented cricketers will stay in Northern Ireland and study at the University through our new links and opportunities, which will only enhance their development as people and cricketers.”
“Through our world-class sporting facilities, expert coaching, performance sport expertise and flexible approach to education, Ulster University is inspiring and supporting cricket players at all levels from local community clubs to international squads teams,” added Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sport Services at the University.
“The partnership with Cricket Ireland further cements the University’s commitment to helping the sport thrive across Ireland.”
Ulster University will host the finals of the GAA Sigerson Cup later this month.
