Earlier this month we had the pleasure of running a coaching session for the Mersey Rose Recs CC (@merseyrose), and it is great to see them going from strength to strength with this partnership with Sahir
Statement
Mersey Rose Recreationals Cricket Club is pleased to confirm a partnership agreement with Sahir.
Sahir, formerly Sahir House, is Liverpool City Region’s leading LGBTQIA+ charity. It provides a unique person-centred non-clinical support service and resource hub for LGBTQ+ Refugee & Asylum Seekers across the Liverpool City Region.
Together, we want to ensure that more people from Merseyside’s cricket community are aware of the work Sahir does while promoting more inclusive approaches to sport.
During 2024 Sahir will:
• Be the main sponsor for our softball / T20 shirt
• Take out player and match-ball sponsorships
• Have a regular page in the club’s monthly magazine to advertise services and events
• Attend the annual charity match
As part of the agreement, Mersey Rose Recreationals will:
• Dedicate our annual charity match to Sahir
• Raise funds for the charity
• Promote Sahir on the club website and social media platforms
• Facilitate a taster session for Sahir’s staff and clients to introduce them to cricket
• Work with Sahir to show how clubs can be more LGBTQIA+ friendly
In this partnership with Sahir, Mersey Rose Recreationals reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Sahir provides vital support and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ individuals and all people living with HIV, irrespective of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Together, Mersey Rose Recreationals and Sahir aspire to promote awareness of Sahir’s essential services and foster inclusivity within Merseyside’s cricketing community. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals.
Andi Page, Mersey Rose Recreationals’ hardball captain, said: “At Mersey Rose, we’re not just a cricket club – we’re a community. We’re proud to partner with Sahir to further our shared commitment to inclusivity and acceptance. We have had some really productive and interesting conversations and given our shared values it makes a lot of sense to enter into a partnership with them.
“I believe this is merely the beginning of a positive longer-term relationship between Mersey Rose and Sahir. We both understand how sport can be a force for making lasting change and we also recognise that more work has to be done to make sports clubs more inclusive. Together, we hope to combine our efforts to widen access to cricket and enable clubs to be more responsive to the needs of our local LGBTQIA+ community.”
Ant Hopkinson, CEO of Sahir, shared his excitement about the partnership: “We’re thrilled to join forces with Mersey Rose Recreationals Cricket Club in this exciting venture. Together, we’re breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to fostering acceptance and support within our communities.”