Derbyshire County Cricket Club and Chesterfield Borough Council have agreed another five-year partnership that will see first class county cricket played in Queen’s Park each summer.
As play commences during the annual BRM Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, the new partnership agreement will ensure that the festival continues to be a feature in the town’s calendar until 2031.
The first partnership was agreed in 2011 and since then the festival has gone from strength to strength, with regular sell out crowds and women’s matches being added to provide a packed schedule of cricket each year.
Derbyshire Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: "The BRM Chesterfield Festival of Cricket is one of the most popular events of the county cricket summer, not only for our supporters, but those across the country and we are delighted to have secured its future until at least 2031.
“We have a fantastic relationship with Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield Cricket Club, which we look forward to furthering over the next five years.”
As well as hosting matches in Queen’s Park the agreement also includes providing tickets to schools along with coaching sessions to give children the opportunity to try cricket.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We know that the festival is an annual highlight for many members of our community and it is fantastic that we have been able to secure this partnership for another five years. Not only does it help attract more people to our borough which provides a great boost for our local businesses, the partnership also provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to discover a love for the game.”
The partnership was agreed at Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet meeting in April. It is the fourth five-year agreement since 2011 and over the years the festival has regularly sold out and expanded to offer more matches.
This year’s BRM Chesterfield Festival of Cricket runs from 19 June until 28 June, with the county championship match against Lancashire taking place across the first four days.
The Blaze will take on Yorkshire in a women’s one day cup match on 23 June which is free to attend.
Derbyshire Falcons will play Gloucestershire in Women’s Vitality Blast fixture on 27 June.
The final match of the festival will be Derbyshire against Yorkshire in a Men’s Vitality Blast fixture on 28 June.
To find out more and book tickets, visit the Derbyshire County Cricket Club website.
