Two of England’s greatest sporting institutions, Saracens Rugby Club and Bunbury Cricket Club, have joined forces to create a partnership to promote the importance of team sport and the message ‘teams not gangs’.
England cricket captain Alistair Cook and his fellow internationals Steve Finn and Eoin Morgan were on hand at the launch event at Allianz Park on Friday.
Under the direction of founder and captain David English CBE, The Bunbury’s have raised nearly £16million for charities and have helped the development of hundreds of young cricketers – including Cook.
Meanwhile, The Saracens Sport Foundation was created in 2000 to inspire communities and change the lives of children and young people through the power of sport, and in 2013 they were shortlisted for a global award as Beyond Sport Community Club of the Year.
The main link between the two organisations is the long-term friendship of Saracens chairman Nigel Wray and Bunbury founder English, who share a passion for team sport and its ability to tackle broader issues within society.
Wray said: “If we don’t include kids, especially young boys, in teams then don’t be surprised if, when excluded, they form their own team and it’s called a gang.
“I’ve known David English for so long that it seemed only natural for us all to try and bring together two great sports to try and do still more to give young people a chance – a chance to be included, but to learn also discipline, behaviour, manners, winning, losing, all of them actual life skills – and so to help create better people who will therefore have a better chance in life.”
English said: “Nigel Wray and I have known each other for 53 glorious years. He has always been a star and without question the most generous man I have ever met.
“We have led parallel lives and felt that now is the time to embrace our mutual passion and I am proud that we are forming the partnership between The Bunbury’s and Saracens Sport Foundation.”
The partnership will see the two charities share knowledge, expertise and resources to continue to promote youth sport in England.
They will also come together this summer when a Saracens XI takes on The Bunbury’s on Sunday August 10 at Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club.
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