In the wake of the success enjoyed by LeiLanni Nesbeth at Bedes School in England, the Bermuda Cricket Board yesterday confirmed that Axis Capital has come on board to sponsor girls cricket in Bermuda.

Popularity is growing for girls cricket and a girls team, Axis Angels, will compete in the Hiscox Under-11 League.

Axis Capital will also support and help promote the Bermuda School Sports Federation Primary girls and Middle School girls leagues and make weekly MVP presentations during the season.

On June 16, the Primary and Middle School All-Star games will be held at the National Sports Centre.

“I am very excited that Axis Capital have partnered with the BCB to help develop our girls cricket programme,” Lloyd Fray, the president of the Bermuda Cricket Board, said.

“We have many avid young girls in our academy and youth programmes who will now have a stronger opportunity to shine and progress in our great sport. With the recent securing of the significant scholarship for LeiLanni Nesbeth to attend Bedes School from last September, we hope many young girls will strive to follow in her footsteps.

“I am especially encouraged by the involvement of cricket loving employees at Axis that are working with the BCB Girls Development committee.”

Denise Hollis, the Underwriting Assistant at Axis, said: “Axis is very proud to be able to work with the BCB and BSSF to provide safe and fun opportunities for our girls to enjoy our national sport. The BCB has provided the schools with training plans and lesson plans in addition to some hands-on support to allow more girls a chance to play.

“The BCB worked with the BSSF last year to introduce a primary school league in addition to the existing Super 8 festival day. We are looking forward to the inaugural Axis All-star Day at the National Stadium on June 16 that will feature the top players from across the country.”

Neil Speight, CEO of the Bermuda Cricket Board, said the sponsorship provided by Axis Capital will enable girls cricket to continue to grow. “Bermuda Cricket Board has a lot of investment in development and since 2014 we rewrote our girls development plan from the grassroots up,” Speight stated.

“Last year LeiLanni was one of the benefactors of our programme and is on a very substantial scholarship, so opportunities abound and numbers have been growing in the primary and middle schools. What we needed was a partner and we’re very happy that Axis Capital has come on to help with the funding which allows us to raise the profile and create more opportunities for young girls.”

Jessie DeBraga, an 11-year old student at St George’s Prep, is one of the members of the Axis team. “I’ve been playing cricket for two or three years now, I’m really having fun with it and I would like to thank Axis for being our sponsor.”

Added Rose Simmons, also 11, of BHS: “I really appreciate Axis sponsoring us and it is a great help, so thank you Axis.”

n The Super 8 girls tournament will take place today at the National Sports Centre starting at 9.30, featuring 16 school teams.