Young cricket players in Matlock have been given a boost thanks to a new sponsorship deal between Matlock and Cromford Meadows Cricket Club and full fibre broadband provider Gigaclear.

The Oxfordshire-based company, which is currently rolling out its network in rural Derbyshire, has agreed a two-season sponsorship deal with the club. A launch activity was held at the weekend (Sunday, May 14) with the U11s team sporting new kit featuring Gigaclear branding in their game against Ashbourne. The Gigaclear Player of the Match Trophy was presented to Isabella by 1st XI Team Captain Ed Lander and Junior Co-ordinator Ray Mullaney for her strong performance behind the wicket.

Gigaclear Community Engagement Manager, Sam Christmas, said: “Gigaclear is very much about empowering rural communities by providing them with fast and reliable broadband. Supporting grassroots sports clubs in the communities on our network seems a natural extension of what we are trying to achieve. We’re delighted to be associated with such a thriving club and we look forward to developing our relationship with its members and supporters over the next two seasons.”

As well as helping with the kit, Gigaclear is sponsoring a Kwik Cricket Schools Competition taking place at the cricket field tomorrow (Tuesday, May 16) featuring teams from Tansley Primary, All Saints CE Junior School and two teams from St Joseph's RC Primary. The company will also be participating in the cricket club’s family fun day in July and offering a special affinity broadband deal to anyone associated with the club.

In November, Gigaclear, which is the UK’s largest rural alternative network, announced it was expanding into Derbyshire with the aim of extending its full fibre broadband network to 25,000 homes and businesses in rural communities, including 4,500 in Matlock.

Steve Haslam, Matlock and Cromford's Sponsorship Coordinator said: “The discount offered by Gigaclear to members, and the support given to those breaking into hardball cricket has been excellent. The Player of the Month trophies are heavy enough to break a mantlepiece, and I'm sure will be something all players will aspire to winning. Successful teams come out of successful individual performances, and they are a great addition for the players".