No Boundaries campaign wins at Stadium Business Awards
Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that the Club’s No Boundaries campaign – alongside Hilton - won the Sponsorship, Sales and Marketing of the Year award at Wednesday (28 June) night's Stadium Business Awards, hosted at Emirates Old Trafford.
The campaign was launched earlier this year in collaboration with Official Hotel Partner, Hilton and Lancashire Thunder, focusing on breaking down multiple barriers in the women’s game and offering the best possible support to female athletes within the Club’s women’s squad.
The Club developed the initiative to support female cricketers through a series of regular workshops and the implementation of two brand new Thunder specific staff roles – specifically funded by Hilton - allowing the squad access to their own Sports Doctor and Nutritionist. As part of the campaign, Hilton sponsored the Club’s pre-season tour which saw the women’s squad travel to Dubai and stay at the Conrad Dubai. For the first time, Thunder then embarked on a second leg of the tour to Mumbai, where they stayed at the Hilton Mumbai International Airport.
Lancashire Cricket also established a bespoke education and support package which has allowed the Thunder players – who recently reached their first Finals Day in the Charlotte Edwards Cup - to fulfil their potential and enjoy playing the game, whilst easing some of the challenges faced by many female athletes; a focus on health-specific areas to female athletes such as the menstrual cycle, bone health, breast health and sports-bra fitting.
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive at Lancashire Cricket, said: “We’re delighted to have won this award for our No Boundaries campaign and it further shows the commitment from Hilton to the Club and to Lancashire Thunder’s elite women’s programme.
“Hilton have been an incredible partner of ours over a long period of time and have worked in collaboration with us on a number of different projects and initiatives, including this one.
“They have really bought into what we’re trying to achieve here and we look forward to working with the team at Hilton for many years to come as women’s cricket – and sport – continues to grow and commercialise.”
Gurmej Bahia, VP Marketing and Loyalty International at Hilton, added: "We are proud to further our work with Lancashire Cricket. Earlier this year we sponsored the Thunder squad on their pre-season tour to Dubai and, for the first time, Mumbai.
"We were thrilled to provide them with a restful stay and the nutrition they need during preparation, and even more thrilled to launch the No Boundaries campaign, in order to embrace equity and break down some of the barriers in women’s sport."
Thunder all-rounder Shachi Pai, who attended the award’s ceremony, also commented: “On behalf of the Thunder squad, I’d like to thank Hilton for their incredible support of the Club and specifically the professional women’s programme.
“Lancashire Cricket is really leading the way in the domestic women’s game and we’re very fortunate to have the backing of the Club – as well as further support and funding from commercial partners, such as Hilton. It really is hugely appreciated.”