Big Bears deal boosts Birmingham coach company

TRAVEL firm Birmingham International Coaches has boosted business by signing a new deal with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The two-year deal will see the Tile Cross company become the club’s official travel partner, providing transport for all of the first team’s away matches, in addition to other major events in which the club is involved.

The travel firm has always had close links with Warwickshire, as well as other sporting clubs in the city such as Birmingham City FC and Moseley Rugby Club.

The deal began with the firm transporting the first team squad to Gatwick Airport to catch a flight to Barbados for their pre-season tour of the Caribbean.

Warwickshire are one of five first class counties invited by the Barbados Tourism Authority to take part in the GGI Twenty20 knockout competition – which opens with a game against a Barbados XI under floodlights – followed by an ECB-style semi-finals and Final day.

Other games during the tour include a two-day friendly match against Essex, and Pro40 matches against Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The matches will be played at various grounds around the island, including at the famous Kensington Oval.

During their tour Warwickshire will also visit local schools, where the players will be involved in free coaching clinics.  

Darren Andrew, Sales Manager, WCCC, said: “Our relationship with them (BIC) stems back over two years, but to forge a new two-year travel partnership with a coach provider such as this is really the icing on the cake.”

Matthew Watkiss, BIC managing director, said; “Birmingham International Coaches are delighted to be associated with Warwickshire. It promises to be a highly exciting season ahead and we look forward to doing all we can to ensure the players arrive at their matches in the best possible shape.”