Local insurance company BF&M Limited has gone to bat for the Bermuda women’s and under-19 cricket teams.

The Bermuda Cricket Board has announced the sponsorship agreement between the two parties, which will aid in the board’s bid to qualify for the 2024 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup and relaunch of its women and girls programmes.

“The executive of the Bermuda Cricket Board is pleased to announce a sponsorship agreement with insurance company BF&M Limited for the BCB women’s national training team and the U19 Men’s National Training Team,” the BCB stated in a press release.

“In 2022, as a part of our five-year strategic plan, the BCB has been actively relaunching our women and girls programmes starting with weekly indoor softball cricket sessions facilitated by BCB Development chairwoman Kellie Smith and other local coaches.

“With over 60 women and girls registered, interested players are now beginning to transition into hard ball cricket, filtering into our member clubs before being eligible for selection for a national side.

“The team has also entered their first competition, T15 Backyard Cricket hosted by the Bermuda Police Service under the name Sluggos Angels, after former national team cricketer Dwayne ‘Sluggo’ Leverock.

“Mr Leverock will be coaching the team throughout the tournament that is being held at Police Field on Fridays at 6pm scheduled until July.”

Smith, the BCB vice-president, thanked sponsor BF&M for its support in helping the board achieve its objectives.

“We are appreciative of their continuous generosity and support as we begin this journey of growing the game of cricket for our women and girls,” she said.

Echoing Smith’s sentiments, Allan Douglas, BCB High-Performance chairman, added: “These are exciting times for women’s cricket in Bermuda, and we are delighted to have the support of BF&M that would ensure our continued growth.”

BCB president and under-19 coach Arnold Manders said the sponsorship partnership enables the board to make strides towards its goals.

“We would like to thank BF&M once again for their support of our under-19 training team,” he added. “Their contribution makes it possible for us to continue making strides towards our goal of advancing and qualifying for the 2024 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup.”

The under-19 team compete in the BCB’s 50 Overs League on Saturdays, which allows squad members to play for their respective club teams on Sundays.

Abigail Clifford, the BF&M Limited group president and chief operating officer, said the company was proud to support women’s participation in one of the most popular sports in Bermuda and across the Caribbean.

“We believe in the power of sports as a vehicle to promote inclusion, diversity and excellence,” she added. “We commend the BCB for incorporating a life skills programme in the training schedule which not only sees the senior women’s training squad give back to the young and upcoming female cricketers, but also brings in a variety of organisations to speak to them about wellness and life preparedness.”