Utilita Bowl proudly claimed three prestigious awards at the ECB’s 2024 Business of Cricket Awards, including the highly coveted Sponsorship Campaign of the Year, alongside the Transforming the Women’s Game and Best Spectator Experience – Women’s International awards.
The elegant ceremony unfolded at Edgbaston, celebrating the pinnacle of innovation and best practices within the realm of professional cricket. These awards highlight the remarkable efforts of First-Class Counties and the MCC in expanding the sport’s reach and delivering unforgettable experiences to fans across England and Wales.
Central to Utilita Bowl’s accolades was their groundbreaking partnership with Utilita Energy, recognized for the installation of over 1,000 solar panels at the venue. This innovative initiative marked a significant milestone in sustainability within the sports industry, earning them the esteemed Sponsorship Campaign of the Year award.
In addition to their sustainability efforts, the venue’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s cricket led to acclaim for ‘Project Double It’. This initiative uniquely positioned Utilita Bowl as the first venue to achieve a sell-out for consecutive England Women’s international fixtures, culminating in their recognition as winners of both the Transforming the Women’s Game and the Best Spectator Experience – Women’s International awards.
Huge congratulations to all of this year’s BOCA winners. It has been a privilege to celebrate the very best of the work carried out by First-Class Counties and MCC across England and Wales this year. The innovation and dedication shown has been truly inspiring. It’s fantastic to see the impact of Hampshire’s extensive efforts in growing the women’s game, Warwickshire’s continued commitment to sustainability, Lancashire’s ground-breaking digital strategy, and so much more. All this work shows a real commitment across the game to becoming bigger, better and more inclusive.
Richard Thompson, ECB Chair
What inspired Utilita’s approach to sponsoring women’s cricket and enhancing spectator experiences?
**Interview with Jane Smith, CEO of Utilita, on Recent Awards at the ECB’s 2024 Business of Cricket Awards**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jane. Congratulations on Utilita’s outstanding achievements at the ECB’s 2024 Business of Cricket Awards! Can you tell us what it means for your organization to win the Sponsorship Campaign of the Year?
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me! Winning the Sponsorship Campaign of the Year is a tremendous honor for Utilita. It reflects our commitment to supporting cricket, especially as it grows and evolves. We believe that innovative partnerships can drive the sport forward, and this award reinforces that vision.
**Editor:** In addition to the Sponsorship Campaign of the Year, Utilita was recognized for its efforts in transforming the women’s game and for best spectator experience in women’s internationals. How important is it for your company to be a part of these developments within cricket?
**Jane Smith:** It’s incredibly important to us. We see women’s cricket as a vital component of the overall growth of the sport. By investing in the women’s game and enhancing spectators’ experiences, we’re not just supporting diversity and inclusion; we’re also helping to build a sustainable future for cricket. These awards highlight our dedication to making a positive impact.
**Editor:** The ceremony was elegant and well-attended. What was the atmosphere like, and how did it feel to be honored alongside other industry leaders?
**Jane Smith:** The atmosphere was electric! Celebrating with our peers in the industry made the night even more special. There was a palpable sense of camaraderie as we all shared our successes and discussed the future of cricket. Being acknowledged alongside such esteemed organizations filled us with pride and motivation to continue pushing boundaries.
**Editor:** what’s next for Utilita in terms of its initiatives in cricket and beyond?
**Jane Smith:** We’re excited about the future! We’ll continue to focus on initiatives that promote inclusion in sports, especially in women’s cricket. We also plan to enhance our engagement with fans and communities, ensuring everyone feels connected to the beautiful game. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline that we can’t wait to reveal!
**Editor:** Thank you, Jane, for your insights and once again, congratulations on your remarkable achievements! We look forward to seeing Utilita’s continued contributions to cricket.
**Jane Smith:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure sharing our journey.