Free guide for cricket clubs
Planning next season's sponsorship.
What to offer, how to set out tiers, when to ask and the words to send to local businesses. Free to read and use, no sign-up.
When to do it
The sponsorship season runs through the winter.
Most businesses set their spend early in the year. Clubs that ask in January get a better hearing than clubs that ask in April.
November to December
List what you can offer and who sponsored you last season. Agree prices at committee.
December to January
Renew existing sponsors first. They are the easiest yes, and early renewals fund the rest.
January to February
Approach new local businesses with a specific offer, not a general request for support.
March to April
Invoice, collect payment and get boards and kit ordered before the first fixture.
What you can offer
More than a board on the boundary.
Go through the list with your committee and keep what your club can really deliver.
Boundary boards
The classic. Say who makes the board, who pays for it and how long it stays up.
Shirts and kit
Front-of-shirt for the main sponsor, sleeves or training kit for others. Check the order deadline with your kit supplier.
Match and ball sponsors
A home fixture or the match ball, with a mention on the day and on social media.
Player sponsorship
A smaller amount from family, friends or a local trader, credited on the website or the team sheet.
Website and social
Logo and link on the club website, plus a set number of posts across the season.
Clubhouse and events
Naming at the presentation evening, a quiz night or a family day, or space in the clubhouse.
Junior and women's sections
Many businesses would rather back the juniors or a girls' team than the first XI. Offer it as its own package.
Scorebox and sightscreens
Naming rights for the bigger fixtures around the ground, usually as part of a top tier.
End-of-season report
Photos of the boards, the posts that went out and the matches played. It is what makes renewal easy.
Example tiers
Three or four clear packages.
Fixed packages are easier to sell than a menu. These figures are an illustration only: set yours from your costs, last season's deals and what local businesses can afford.
| Package | What's included | Example price per season |
|---|---|---|
| Supporter | Name and link on the club website, one social post, a player or match ball sponsorship | £100 |
| Boundary | Boundary board for the season, logo on the website, three social posts | £350 |
| Club partner | Two boards, a sponsored home fixture, training kit or sleeve logo, monthly social posts, end-of-season report | £1,000 |
| Main sponsor | Front of first-team shirt, scorebox naming, presentation evening, all of the above, two-season option | £2,500 |
Illustrative figures, not market rates. Prices vary a great deal by league, ground and location.
What makes sponsors say yes
Be specific, then show what happened.
- Put exact quantities and dates in the offer: "three posts between May and August", not "social media exposure".
- Ask existing sponsors to renew before you approach anyone new.
- Offer a two-season option with the price held. It saves you selling it again next year.
- Agree who pays for boards and kit before anything is ordered.
- Send a proper invoice with a due date, and record the payment when it arrives.
- Keep one record of what was promised and what was delivered, so the next volunteer is not starting from scratch.
Wording to copy
Two emails that do most of the work.
Change the words in square brackets. Keep them short: one clear offer and one question.
Renewing an existing sponsor
Subject: [Club name] next season: renewing your [package]
Hi [name],
Thank you for backing [club name] last season. Your [board / shirt / match ball] was part of [a short highlight, e.g. the second XI's promotion].
We'd love to have you with us again for [year]. The [package] is [price] and includes [two or three specifics]. If you'd like to keep the same spot, could you let me know by [date]? We're ordering boards and kit in [month].
Thanks,
[Your name], [role], [club name]
Approaching a new local business
Subject: Sponsoring [club name] in [year]
Hi [name],
I'm [role] at [club name], a few minutes from you in [area]. We have [number] teams, including [juniors / women's], and around [number] people at the ground on a match weekend.
We're looking for a local business for our [package]: [two or three specifics] for [price] for the season. Would you be open to a quick chat, or shall I send the details over?
Thanks,
[Your name], [role], [club name]
Then manage it all in one place.
SponsorshipNow helps you look after the sponsors you find. Set out your packages (SponsorshipNow publishes each one as an opportunity), send each sponsor a proposal, invoice them and record what was delivered. Free to start, no card needed.