At Aironix, we are incredibly passionate about supporting our local community and nurturing the next generation. That is why we became the official sponsor of the Countdown Cricket Festival, organised by the Somerset Cricket Foundation.
The iconic Cooper Associates County Ground saw a fantastic change of atmosphere on Sunday, 5th July. The venue welcomed 30 teams from 14 local under-12 junior clubs, totalling over 250 players, for a day of cricket. The players absolutely loved playing their favourite sport on the famous turf, which is usually reserved strictly for the professionals!
What is the Somerset Cricket Foundation?
For those unfamiliar with their incredible work, the Somerset Cricket Foundation is a charity dedicated to facilitating and growing recreational cricket across the county. Their mission is to use cricket to positively impact local communities through everything from coaching and community programmes to dedicated disability cricket initiatives and much more.
We are proud to sponsor the event and give these dedicated under-12 club players an unforgettable day of cricket, playing out on the iconic turf they usually only get to watch from the sidelines.
Reflecting on the success of the day, Will Anning, Junior Clubs & Youth Participation Officer, from the Somerset Cricket Foundation, said this:
“For a lot of our players, walking out onto the Cooper Associates County Ground for the first time is a really big deal, and you could feel that on the day. There's something about playing on a ground like this that just adds something extra, and seeing the kids out there with their parents and coaches cheering them on was brilliant to be part of. The energy throughout the day was fantastic. 250 players across 30 teams all just enjoying their cricket in a relaxed, fun environment, which is exactly what these festivals are about. None of it would have been possible without Aironix, whose support is what allows us to put on events at this level for junior cricketers across Somerset, and we're really grateful for that.”
The Aironix Sponsorship
To check out the action first-hand, our Managing Director, Andrew Cowlin, and Marketing Assistant, Dannii Rennie, went down to the ground. They spent a sun-drenched Sunday watching the teams take part in the fast-paced "Countdown Cricket" format (based on The Hundred competition, where every player gets an equal chance to bat, bowl, and shine).
Seeing the sheer joy on the players' faces as they ran out onto the outfield made it clear just how much this opportunity meant to the young cricketers, the coaches, and their families.
Our MD, Andrew Cowlin, shared his thoughts on the day and why we chose to sponsor the festival:
"When I heard about the festival, it seemed like a great initiative to get behind. Allowing juniors to play cricket throughout the year at various venues, all within a relaxed environment free from the high stakes of a regular match. The standout event was, without a doubt, the one held on the pitch at the Cooper Associates County Ground. Thankfully, the weather was perfect on the day, and looking around the clubs involved, it was particularly nice to see teams from all over Somerset playing on the outfield, and all having fun together. It made me really proud to see the Aironix name tied to the event. It’s a rare privilege to play at the county ground, and it’s brilliant to know that everyone who participated had that honour. A big thank you to the Somerset Foundation team who put on the event and make these things possible, and we’re looking forward to the next event in the calendar!"
To find out more about the incredible work that the Somerset Cricket Foundation do click here.