More than 200 youth and women cricketers are now playing in new maroon-coloured shirts after the founder of Bristol financial planning and mortgage advisers Manning Gee Investments answered an appeal for help on social media.
Bradley Stoke Cricket Club needed funds to change from traditional cricket whites to a new kit of coloured shirts and black trousers as part of the sport’s move to encourage greater diversity in the game and attract more girls to take it up.
Manning Gee founding director Samuel Gee heard about the club’s appeal and stepped up to offer a three-year sponsorship deal, with a contribution of more than £4,000 towards the cost of the new shirts.
The firm is now the main shirt sponsor for the club, which is home to seven senior teams, a women’s team and eight youth group squads.
Bradley Stoke CC chair Andy Maggs said: “In what is an incredibly exciting time for the club, particularly around the launch of our girls’ section and relaunch of our women’s softball team, we’re delighted to have Manning Gee Investments as our main shirt sponsor for the next three years.
“We’ve been able to launch a coloured shirt for our youth and women’s teams. The coloured kits remove some of the barriers for girls playing cricket – it’s a really simple but positive move forward.
“We’re very grateful to Samuel and Naomi Gee at Manning Gee Investments. Without their generous support we would have been unable to subsidise the cost of the shirts, which we felt was important during the backdrop of increasing household costs.”
Samuel added: “Bradley Stoke Cricket Club does a fantastic job promoting cricket in the community and greater inclusivity within the sport. So we’re delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with the club.
“We wish the teams and players every success in their forthcoming fixtures – we will be there to cheer them on.”
Samuel, who founded Manning Gee Investments in 2010, has been an independent financial adviser for more than 20 years. He advises individuals, businesses and trustees on all aspects of investment management and also specialises in equity release, which allows people to access the cash tied up in their homes.
Pictured: Samuel and Naomi Gee of Manning Gee Investments with young players and team captains wearing the new maroon-coloured shirts at Bradley Stoke CC’s ground
