Burton communications consultancy backs young cricketer’s England adventure

A Burton-based PR and communications consultancy is helping a talented young cricketer realise her dream of representing England on the international stage.

MIH Group has stepped forward as the main business sponsor for 13-year-old Eva Benstead (pictured), who has been selected to represent the England U15 girls indoor cricket squad at the Junior World Series in South Africa this month.

The Burton youngster will travel to Pretoria for the eight-day competition, taking on some of the world’s leading indoor cricket nations including Australia, New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka.

Eva, who plays her outdoor cricket for Dunstall CC and Duffield CC, and indoor for Derby Cobras, earned her England call-up following an intensive winter training programme with Action Indoor Cricket England’s Emerging Player Programme.

However, unlike many representative sporting opportunities, indoor cricket does not receive the same level of financial support as the outdoor game, leaving players and their families to fund much of the cost of flights, accommodation and kit themselves.

Eva and her family have therefore been seeking to raise around £5,000 to enable Eva to realise her dream to get to South Africa.

Eva said: “I’m really grateful to MIH for sponsoring me and helping me get closer to South Africa.

“Being picked to represent England is an amazing opportunity and I’m really excited, although I think I’ll be a bit nervous when the tournament starts.

“A lot of people have been really kind and supported my fundraising, and it means so much to know that people and businesses locally are behind me. I’ll be doing my best to make everyone proud.”

MIH Group provides strategic communications and PR services to organisations across the UK and has a particular expertise in the NHS and healthcare.

The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting its local community and grassroots sport, and Managing Director Jo Yeaman said Eva’s determination and commitment made her a natural choice for its support.

Jo said: “Representing your country at just 13 years old is a fantastic achievement and speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication and talent Eva has shown to get this far.

“When she contacted us with the request for MIH making a contribution, Eva was invited to present her proposition to in our team meeting. We all agreed that she is a very impressive young lady and clearly has high potential to go a long way in cricket and in life.

“That was enough for us to say yes, but we were particularly impressed by the suggestions she volunteered about what she could do to help our business, demonstrating that she has clearly thought carefully about how she might also be able to give back.

“We wish Eva and the rest of the England squad every success in South Africa.”

Eva is a pupil at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy and is part of the Derbyshire County Cricket Club girls’ pathway at U13 level. A keen all-round sportswoman, she also plays football for Stapenhill Girls and Ladies FC and Burton Albion FC’s Emerging Talent Centre.

The Junior World Series takes place in Pretoria from 26 September to 3 October.

Interested parties in supporting Eva can donate through her GoFundMe page.