Match Preview: Surrey v Hampshire, Vitality CC
A 13-player Hampshire squad will travel to The Kia Oval to take on Surrey in the Vitality County Championship
The UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sajid Javid, has been left impressed by the facilities at the The Ageas Bowl after a visit to the home of Hampshire Cricket.
Joined by Eastleigh Tory parliamentary candidate Mims Davies, Javid was given a guided tour of the The Ageas Bowl by Chairman Rod Bransgrove and Commercial Director Stuart Robertson.
On arrival at the The Ageas Bowl, Javid paid a visit to a busy classroom in Hampshire Cricket in the Community’s study centre, ‘The Orbit’, where he praised the work the Club is doing.
From what I have seen already the facilities are great and the investment in the local community and use of these facilities is very impressive. We’d like to see sports participation go up in all areas – in Hampshire we are seeing better results and it’s great to see what they are doing in that regard. There’s a huge following for cricket in our country, but I think coming to a cricket ground like this to see a game for themselves can be inspirational for younger people.
Sajid Javid, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
After visiting the Indoor School where Springhill Catholic School were taking part in a cricket session, the Culture Secretary discussed sports participation with Hampshire Cricket Board Manager Ben Thompson before a visit to the Poseidon Boxing Club ended the tour. After appreciating the Club’s on-going work to bring younger fans to the ground, Javid admitted England’s two Royal London One-Day Internationals at the The Ageas Bowl provide a big opportunity to appeal to a wider audience.
A 13-player Hampshire squad will travel to The Kia Oval to take on Surrey in the Vitality County Championship
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