Five passionate Bay of Plenty cricket fans have come together to form a Bay of Plenty Cricket alliance, that will give tangible support to the game in the region.

Bay of Plenty Cricket CEO Chris Rapson says the alliance comes from a need to create a support system in the sport.

'There is a lot of support for grassroots cricket in our region, but it is sometimes difficult to uncover that support and put together sponsorship deals that work for all parties.

'We are delighted that a group of five sponsors has come together and are willing to support our age group teams as well as our highest performing teams over the coming summers.

'Our Bay of Plenty representative sides this season will be resplendent in new warm up gear and new playing gear at some levels, as a result of these arrangements which will be in place for a minimum of three years. We look forward to working with the BOPCA Family of Five, to promote our mutual interests and to develop a beneficial long-term relationship with them.

'We also want to encourage all our stakeholders to check out the BOPCA Family of Five. What they do in business is important to the long term success of this sponsorship agreement”. 'Bay of Plenty Cricket is proud of the Family of Five sponsorship arrangement, which will take our representative game forward in the next three seasons.”

Bay of Plenty senior representative players, will be a visual endorsement of Paladin Sports membership of the BOPCA Family of Five, as they enter the action wearing brand new kit supplied by the sports clothing supplier. Paladin Sports representative Richard Kane, who is involved with the new cricket club in Omokoroa, played a big part in setting up the BOPCA Family of Five.

Richard Kane says the organisation is passionate about supporting grass roots sport and has made a significant impact in the New Zealand rugby community.

'We are now in a position to share the knowledge, commitment and product range we have with the cricket community of New Zealand having worked hard on developing a cricket specific range. I am responsible for broadening our engagement with cricket and there is no better place to start than my home province.”

Marshall Innovations Ltd CEO, Sean Lett, was a well-known Otumoetai Cadets player and has been a long-time supporter of Te Puna twilight cricket. Sean's passion for the game stems from his father who was an umpire and stalwart of the game in the Western Bay of Plenty for many years. Marshall Innovations have a number of irons in the fire in the building industry.

The expansion of HOBEC, who are a well known Tauranga Law firm, into Rotorua has been led by Simon Collett, who has previously sat on the Bay of Plenty Cricket Board. The Collett family are heavily involved in cricket, with Simon's wife Rana a member of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Board and sons Marcel and Darcy two extremely promising Bay of Plenty age-group players.

Harrison Frames which specializes in high quality framing of pictures and photographs, is owned by Jack Harrison who manages the family business started by his father George, over fifty years ago. Jack is an enthusiastic cricket fan and can be seen at many of the first class and international games played at the Bay Oval.

Founded in 2013, Barrett Homes name has become synonymous with uncompromised design, quality and service in the home building industry. Barrett Homes Principal, Michael Barrett, is another passionate cricket follower who love nothing better than taking time out from his busy business to watch some cricket action.

Bay of Plenty Cricket – Family of Five

Paladin Sports – Marshall Innovations Ltd – HOBEC Rotorua – Harrison Frames – Barrett Homes.