The Northern Diamonds have announced Smile Group Travel as a new official sleeve partner.
The professional domestic women’s cricket team representing Yorkshire and the North East and hosted by regional hosts Yorkshire CCC at Headingly – has announced Smile Group Travel as a new sleeve partner for the 2023 season.
As part of the partnership, Northern Diamonds, the defending Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy champions, have signed a one year deal which will see Smile Group Travel featured on the sleeve for the Diamonds Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy playing shirts.
Smile Group Travel are a leading tour provider for women’s cricket tours and events and was founded as Smile Caribbean Group Travel in 2009 by Graeme Walker due to his love of sport and particularly cricket, and a deep appreciation of the importance of tours in the development of individual players and teams.
Darren Gough, Managing Director of Yorkshire Cricket, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Smile Group Travel as a new sleeve sponsor for the Northern Diamonds and welcome them to the Yorkshire Family.
“Smile Group Travel is a leading tour provider for women’s cricket tours and events, with exciting aspirations.
“As a leader in supporting women’s sports, their values align perfectly with our vision of developing the women’s game. We look forward to working with Smile Group Travel in bringing this partnership to life.”
Previously Smile Group Travel partnered with the Diamonds for the side’s first ever six-day pre-season training camp at the Desert Springs resort in Spain in March this year, where they were joined by the South East Stars and Sunrisers.
Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis waiting to bat in Desert Springs while on pre-season tour earlier this year.
Georgina Clark, the Operations Director, for Smile Group Travel, said: “We are excited to be able to help with, and be a part of, the explosion of interest in the women’s and girls’ game by offering the best tour opportunities to teams at all levels.
“Extending on from this as part of our work in the women’s game we are particularly delighted to have the opportunity to support Diamonds for the 2023 season as a new sleeve partner.”
James Carr, the Yorkshire based Regional Director of Women’s Cricket for the North East and Yorkshire, said: “We are very delighted to have Smile Group Travel on board with the Northern Diamonds.
“It’s a brilliant agreement which provides Smile Group Travel with increased exposure in the women’s game.
“The women’s game continues to go from strength to strength in Yorkshire with rising numbers of supporters attending games and the standard of cricket improving exponentially.”
