Queensland Cricket and Foodbank Queensland partnership.

Queensland Cricket has today announced an important and ground-breaking partnership between the Queensland Bulls and two of the State’s leading community benefactors.

The Bulls Masters and Foodbank Queensland will be the new major partners of the Bulls, with each to be recognized on training and playing apparel during the 2018-19 season.

The new arrangement was signed following the conclusion of the three-year major sponsorship of myFootDR in June.

The Foodbank logo will appear on the front of the Bulls playing shirt for the JLT One Day Cup that gets underway on 16 September when Queensland takes on Victoria at Riverway Stadium in Townsville.

The partnership was announced by Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Max Walters at today’s season launch at Allan Border Field.

Walters said the strengthening of the relationships with both organisations reflected the deep ties that Queensland Cricket and the Bulls have with the community.

“Queensland Cricket has countless links to the wider community in Queensland, through the network of dedicated volunteers, participants and their families,’’ he said.

“There is much to admire about the players who represent their State and so to partner with Foodbank and the Bulls Masters means our current, and future Queensland players can make a tangible difference to lives of others in our community.”

“It is important for Queensland Cricket to replenish our relationship with our past Queensland representatives, and join forces to ensure mutual benefit for cricket and our fellow Queenslanders,” he said.

Walters said the Foodbank relationship would provide heightened awareness for their operation as well as a direct benefit from the performances of the Bulls and Konica Minolta Queensland Fire players during the JLT One Day Cup and Women’s National Cricket League.

“We’ve already seen the integration of Foodbank and their agencies in the Bulls and Queensland Under-19 team preparations, with players and coaches volunteering their time to assist their operations during the past two months,’’ he said.

“On the field, Queensland Cricket will donate $100 for every six hit by a Bull or a Fire player during the JLT One Day Cup and WNCL in 2018-19 while staff will have the opportunity to contribute to an annual Food Drive,’’ he said.

Walters congratulated both organisations for their innovative approach to the partnership.

Bulls Masters Chairman Ian Healy expressed their delight in the formal announcement of the arrangement.

“The Bulls Masters are very proud of the initiatives we have brought to regional areas, including the Country Challenge T20 series and the U-16 Country Challenge that forms part of Queensland Cricket’s youth pathway,’’ Healy said.

“Today’s announcement closes the circle in a sense for us, as it brings us closer to the current Queensland players and allows us to combine our efforts to make a difference to Queensland communities,’’ he said.

Bulls Masters Managing Director Jimmy Maher welcomed the opportunity for the past players to join forces with Queensland Cricket to achieve their collective goals.

“No-one has more passion for the current players than those who have had the privilege and the honour of wearing the maroon cap and representing this great State,’’ he said.

“Those players effectively represent all of Queensland whenever they walk onto the field, and we wish the Bulls and the Fire every success this year.”

“There is a legacy of success with Queensland Cricket that we are delighted to be able to contribute to and we look forward to that continuing through the generations,’’ he said.