Rolling out over three years, the initiative has been made possible by a partnership between SACA/Adelaide Strikers and Vodafone, with help from helmet manufacturer Masuri.
The $150,000 donation from Vodafone will help clubs adhere to new helmet requirements coming into effect from 2019-20.
With Vodafone signing on as principal partner of the Adelaide Strikers, helmets will be branded with Vodafone, Adelaide Strikers and SACA logos.
In accordance with the new regulations, junior and senior community cricketers will be required to wear British Standard BS7928:2013 compliant helmets at all times when batting, wicket keeping up to the stumps and fielding in close.
In addition, the first 450 new or upgrading South Australians that sign up to a $60 plan and above will receive a helmet as a free gift.
Chief Commercial Officer Vodafone Australia, Ben McIntosh, says that Vodafone is proud to support the grassroots cricket community to help them stay safe and focus on the game they love.
“We’re advocates for cricket, especially in South Australia, and we couldn’t be happier to help budding young cricket stars from across the state stay safe on the field,” he said.
“Not only that, we understand that getting kids started with the sport can be a significant investment for families.
“The gift with purchase offer is a small way for us to give back to our loyal customers in South Australia.”
SACA General Manager of Community Cricket, Shane Bernhardt, praised Vodafone for their investment.
“Vodafone is a valuable partner of the Adelaide Strikers and their offer to provide compliant helmets to community cricket clubs with junior teams at no cost is extremely community-minded,” Berhnardt said.
“SACA is very appreciative of the support offered by Vodafone to grassroots cricket.
“Community cricket clubs are run solely by volunteers and raising funds for equipment is always challenging, so for Vodafone to be able to improve the safety of community cricketers at no cost to the club, I am sure will be greatly appreciated.”
In 2018-19, Vodafone will gift two compliant helmets per Under 10 and Under 12 team for metropolitan clubs and two helmets per team, up to and including Under 14s, for country clubs.
Helmets will also be provided to Adelaide Strikers Girls Cricket League teams, as an additional benefit to the helmets they have received as part of their Growing Cricket for Girls Funding.
Eligible Vodafone customers who are not involved in the cricket community will have the opportunity in-store to donate their free helmet to a club of their choice.
To be eligible to receive the helmets, clubs will be required to hold a minimum of ‘Compliant Club’ status within the SACA Club Support Program. Details regarding compliance and collection will be communicated to clubs in due course.
