Dubai, Dec 7 (IBNS) Cricket Ireland became the first Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to finalise a Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (“TAPP”) agreement this week in Dubai, guaranteeing a significant increase in the performance support that will be provided through to 2015.
Cricket Ireland is one of five ICC Members to have been awarded funding under this new targeted initiative which is aimed at developing more competitive teams at the highest levels of international cricket.
The USD $1.5 million award will be used to help Cricket Ireland launch an elite domestic competition structure; create an academy system for the further development of talented cricketers and facilitate fixtures against Full Member countries.
Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said upon signing the agreement: “It is terrific to be the first Member to sign a TAPP agreement with the International Cricket Council.
“We are extremely grateful to the ICC for instituting such a forward-thinking programme of support and we’re delighted to be the first member to get to this stage. We have no doubt that TAPP will help us to be even more competitive on the world stage.”
ICC President Alan Isaac added: “I am delighted to have witnessed the signing of the first TAPP agreement this week here in Dubai. Cricket Ireland provided an excellent submission to the ICC Board and I am sure they will do their very best to deliver those plans now that the organisation has the funding in place.”
Further TAPP awards have been provided to the cricket boards of the Netherlands, Scotland, the West Indies and Zimbabwe with the details of these programmes currently being finalized.
