Toyota becomes the Official Automotive Partner of Cricket Ireland  

• Toyota becomes the new Official Automotive Partner of Cricket Ireland, supporting the Men’s and Women’s Senior International teams and the grassroots game. 
• Building on its ‘Mobility For All’ vision, Toyota is investing in professional and grassroots cricket across Ireland as part of its goal to make cricket more accessible for all   
• Toyota also becomes the official partner of Smash It, offering 200 bursaries to children across Ireland with the aim of reaching 1,400 children through the programme in year one of the partnership. 

Today, Toyota announces a new, multi-year partnership with Cricket Ireland. The agreement sees Toyota become the Official Automotive Partner of Cricket Ireland, the national governing body for cricket across the island of Ireland. 

In its new role, Toyota commits to supporting Cricket Ireland’s senior men’s and women’s international teams, and fostering the growth of grassroots participation, encompassing all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. 

The deal comes ahead of an exciting home international summer for Ireland, starting with the men’s one-day international and T20 series tomorrow against West Indies, at which Toyota sleeve branding will be visible for the first time on matchday kits.  

Demonstrating its commitment to making cricket more accessible for all and growing engagement with grassroots cricket, Toyota is also announced as the Official Partner of ‘Smash It’, a fun and inclusive cricket programme for five to nine-year-olds. Led by trained Club Activators, Smash It aims to introduce kids to cricket in a fun, inclusive, and safe environment, while helping them develop skills, confidence and a love for the game. Focusing on play-based learning, Smash It enables children to master the skills of batting, bowling, fielding, and wicket-keeping – all developing fundamental movement skills such as balance, coordination, and teamwork. 

Toyota and Cricket Ireland will work closely to introduce more children to the sport, targeting 1,400 participants in the first year, including the provision of more than 200 bursary places to children from lower socio-economic areas who otherwise would not ordinarily have access to cricket. 

Alongside this, Toyota hopes to incentivise further participation in the sport by providing Smash It participants with a free adult and child ticket to an Ireland international game every summer.  

This summer Ireland Men are hosting both West Indies and England, while Ireland Women will play Zimbabwe and Pakistan.  

Good For Cricket prize draw  

Toyota is signalling its commitment to supporting local clubs and encouraging more people to become involved in the sport with the upcoming launch of its Good For Cricket prize draw. Initially launching in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and with plans to expand into Republic of Ireland in 2026, it aims to help clubs raise £500,000 this year for vital equipment and resources, contributing with a bespoke platform and marketing materials plus a prize pool in year one valued at more than £200,000 to support their fundraising efforts.    

The draw adapts a model successfully deployed in Australia where the Toyota Good For Cricket initiative has brought in the equivalent of more than £5.6 million (AU$12 million) over the past 12 years. This money has provided significant support for the nation’s grassroots game and last season alone, more than £700,000 (AU$900,000) was shared among more than 1,000 clubs. In bringing the initiative to Great Britain and Northern Ireland (and the Republic of Ireland in 2026), Toyota, together with its Centre network, will engage with thousands of people across local communities and build its efforts to support local teams, players and fans. 

Clubs can sign up to take part in the prize draw free of charge and will be allocated digital tickets for supporters to purchase. Each ticket sold will give the holder the chance to win from more than 50 prizes on offer, including three brand new Toyota vehicles. The participating clubs will receive all the proceeds from the tickets they sell, generating vital extra funds for their teams and community activities.  

This partnership comes as Toyota also announces a new, multi-year partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Scotland. As the new Principal Partner to the ECB and Official Automotive partner of Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland, Toyota is committed to helping grow the game and make cricket more fun and more inclusive for everyone across Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.  

Scott Thompson, President and Managing Director at Toyota (GB) commented: “Through our for men’s, women’s and grassroots cricket partnership with Cricket Ireland, we can help support and inspire both the current and next generation of players, volunteers and fans who make cricket happen. At Toyota, mobility is at the heart of everything we do and through these initiatives, we’re helping more people across Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland enjoy cricket, be active and connect through sport.” 

Steve Tormey, CEO at Toyota Ireland commented: “At Toyota Ireland, we’re proud to be a 100% Irish-owned company supporting cricket at all levels, from grassroots to professional. It’s great to see that the Toyota brand will now support cricket in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and is also now supporting the Republic of Ireland, strengthening connections through sport. This partnership is about more than sport, this initiative fosters inclusive communities and inspires future generations. As part of our Built For A Better World brand promise, we’re committed to supporting mobility, inclusivity, and opportunity, helping more young people experience the benefits of this vibrant, growing sport.”

Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland commented: “We are delighted to partner with such an iconic global brand as Toyota, and we are greatly appreciative to both Scott and Steve, and their teams for their commitment to grow participation, accessibility and the profile of cricket across Ireland.

“Last year we launched an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, and the principles and values outlined in that plan are at the heart of this partnership with Toyota. 

“What is particularly exciting about this programme is the potential it offers for the future of the game on the island of Ireland as Toyota looks to expand the opportunities in 2026. Our Strategic Plan sets out our vision to attract more investment and resources to strengthen grassroots cricket, and this partnership helps to exactly deliver on that vision. 

“We look forward to working with Toyota over the coming years and to seeing tangible and positive outcomes for our sport.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

For further information, please contact toyota@hopeandglorypr.com