Waringstown announce new sponsorship deal

Kukri will supply all of Waringstown’s kit over the next three years, with the villagers seen as the firm’s flagship cricket team in Ireland.

Waringstown captain Kyle McCallan said it was a hugely significant deal for the current Bob Kerr Irish Cup and Ulster Bank Challenge Cup holders.

He said: “This deal with a firm like Kukri is a fabulous recognition of what a great year the club had in 2011. It’s not just recognition of what the first eleven did, but Kukri see Waringstown as their flagship club because of what we achieved at all levels of the club, from top to bottom. It’s recognition of the hard work everyone put in last year.”

McCallan admits the likely presence of South African professional Obus Pienaar would be a key selling point for the villagers next season.

He added, “Everyone is looking forward to Obus coming back in 2012, there will be just as much interest in him as there was last season. When you add Obus to the team that won the Challenge Cup and Irish Cup in his absence you realise that no-one will be particularly looking forward to playing Waringstown.”

Kukri proprietor Terry Jackson said Waringstown’s prospensity for developing young talent had been the key factor in continuing a long-standing relationship with the villagers.

“This is a continuation of the relationship we have had with Waringstown for a number of years, and we’ve had good PR from the successes of the club.

“It’s wonderful having a relationship with the likes of Ulster, Lancashire and Somerset, but 90 per cent of our business is centred on grassroots sport and nothing epitomises that more than Waringstown. Keeping our relationship going will hopefully help them to continue to bring through young players who will go on and make a big contribution to the game in Ireland.”