The partnership between Vertu and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club’s newly-formed Super 9s disability cricket team has been nominated in the Best Sponsorship category at the upcoming Business of Cricket Awards.
Super 9s is a format of the game played with an incrediball, a lighter version of a cricket ball, and embodies all the skills of traditional cricket with the extra supportive elements that come from playing in an inclusive environment.
Nottinghamshire’s Super 9s team was formed this summer, with the first trials taking place at ECB Disability Champion club, Gedling Colliery CC.
Regular training then took place across the course of the summer, before the side competed in festivals and individual matches to give all participants access to playing and training time.
Nottinghamshire’s kit was proudly sponsored by award-winning automotive retailer Vertu, with their funding helping to support coaching, trials, kit and logistics.
Dealership staff, meanwhile, were invited to volunteer at Super 9s events or host activations.
Richard Preskey, Nottinghamshire’s Disability Cricket Officer, said: “For Super 9s to have a nationally-recognised sponsor like Vertu is terrific.
“Not only does it give the funding injection that is fundamental to the longevity of the team, it also adds a level of pride when the players step out onto the pitch.”
The Notts representative Super 9s team forms part of the county’s disability pathway, with players able to start their journey at school and play community softball cricket with Super 1s, before progressing into Super 9s.
A full playing squad was established within two months of launching the team, with a 20-person squad expected to start the 2026 season.
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “We’ve really enjoyed deepening our partnership with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club this year to deliver a real impact in the community.
“The Super 9s programme gave us the opportunity to align our values of inclusivity, community impact and local engagement, while providing a platform for more individuals with disabilities to enjoy the game they love.
“We feel like we’ve built a brilliant platform this summer, and look forward to seeing Super 9s going from strength to strength in the coming years.”
- Dealership News