Generous guests of the Bank’s corporate hospitality suite at the club’s Riverside stadium donated more than £8,200 towards the cost of the two week trip between 6th February and 21st February.
Fifteen Academy players aged between 15 and 20, a club doctor and three coaches will travel to Colombo next month to train with Sri Lankan national coaches and experience the testing conditions of the sub-continent to help them to develop their skills.
Kevin Andreson, Senior Corporate Manager at the North East corporate banking centre of the Co-operative Bank in Newcastle, said, “We were obviously delighted to facilitate this fantastic trip for Academy youngsters that are the future of Durham County Cricket Club.
“Many of our guests at the Riverside who donated so generously are from businesses in which we’ve invested. Even in today’s uncertain economic climate, The Co-operative Bank is still very much open for business and keen to work with and fund companies with sound business strategies.”
John Windows, Durham CCC Academy Coach, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support from the Co-operative Bank, who have made a significant contribution to the cost of the visit.
The trip to Sri Lanka is an excellent opportunity for the Academy players to get some valuable experience in conditions that will undoubtedly help them to improve their technical skills. For many of the lads it will be their first experience of an overseas tour and the insight they will get into playing abroad will be an excellent asset to their game.”
If you want to show your support for the Academy trip to Sri Lanka Austin’s Bar and Bistro at Riverside is hosting a fundraising curry night on Thursday 29 January. For more details click here