A one hundred ball cricket match was hosted to celebrate Yorkshire Day, and mark the development of Bradford’s Park Avenue cricket ground.
The match, played by amateurs from the Parklane Foundation and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, was hosted to celebrate and showcase the continuing redevelopment of the historic Park Avenue cricket ground in Bradford.
The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation is the official charity and community arm of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The foundation is a registered charity that delivers community projects across the county. Using the power of cricket, the Foundation aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those living in Yorkshire.
The Parklane Foundation is the charitable arm of the Yorkshire-based property developing giant Parklane Group. The foundation has a close relationship with sporting bodies around Yorkshire, being owners of the Leeds Golf Centre and recently investing to support the redevelopment of the Park Avenue cricket ground.
Naveen Ahmed, Managing Director of the Parklane Foundation, explained: “I was delighted to attend this fantastic match on Yorkshire Day. At the Parklane Foundation we are committed to investing in communities across Yorkshire – and that’s why, earlier this year, we were thrilled to work with Yorkshire County Cricket Club to support the redevelopment of Park Avenue in Bradford.
“Using our relationships with people like Yorkshire County Cricket Club, we’re working to support inclusivity and diversity across Yorkshire – bringing people from all backgrounds together to secure a better future for our region.”
Mark Arthur, Chief Executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, added: “We were delighted to work with the Parklane Foundation on hosting this historic match. The Parklane Foundation is a committed partner of the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, supporting our plans to redevelop Park Avenue into a cricket facility fit for the 21st century. We look forward to working with Naveen and the rest of the Parklane team for years to come.”
The match was attended by a range of stakeholders from around Yorkshire, including Lord Mawson and Zulfi Karim, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.
Lord Mawson, a Bradford-born social entrepreneur, is heavily involved in social entrepreneurship and supporting community growth.
He explained: “I was delighted be invited to attend this historic cricket match and learn about the great work the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and the Parklane Foundation are doing together.
“The last time I was at Park Avenue I watched Freddie Trueman play – so it was fantastic to be back here and see the ground after so many years.
“Investing in cricket facilities like Park Avenue is a brilliant way to bring people from across Bradford and Yorkshire together – ensuring that our wonderful and diverse communities can thrive.”
