by Lorraine Gibson.

After the absence of a sponsor for the Dorset Cricket League during the 2022 season, a new three-year deal has been struck with one of the county’s fastest growing companies.
From next April, 76 teams from 40 clubs will play in the Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League after the Shroton-based firm agreed a deal which will support the league in various ways, benefiting umpires as well as players and clubs.
The deal also includes sponsorship of the T20 Cup Competitions, the League Representative XI and the Women’s Leagues within the county.

Some of the money will be used to help reduce clubs’ costs and some is earmarked to help encourage and train new umpires.
League chairman, Peter Constable said: “We are delighted to be forging a partnership with Wessex Internet, particularly at a time when more and more digital technology is coming into the game at grassroots level.

“Some clubs already use a phone app or laptop for scoring matches, some of which can be followed live online from all over the world.
“It’s possible for clubs to stream matches live over the internet and we may even see some of the other technology used in the professional game filter down to club cricket.
“Wessex Internet, by bringing fibre connections to rural areas of Dorset, are the ideal company to with at this time and we look forward to working with them over the next three years.”
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said: “We’re excited to enter this three-year agreement to sponsor the Dorset Cricket League.
“A local internet service provider, we work with communities to connect them to ultrafast full fibre broadband. “We recognise the vital role that local sports clubs play in community life and are delighted to be able support cricket clubs across the county.”
Based near Blandford, the company’s mission is to build a full fibre network connecting even the most remote countryside neighbourhoods – from Cranborne Chase to the Dorset coastline, and out to rural South Somerset.