A successful quarter century innings will come to an end at the close of the 2017-18 cricket season, as Cricket Australia and MILO end their junior participation partnership.

Since 1992, MILO has supported Cricket Australia in delivering world class junior participation programs that have instilled a love of cricket in millions of girls and boys throughout Australia. 

Over the 25 years, and through the introduction of entry level programs such as MILO T20 Blast and MILO in2CRICKET, junior participation in cricket has expanded considerably, a major driver in cricket becoming the biggest participation sport in the country 

The junior participation programs supported by MILO have not only been the starting point of the careers of players who have gone on to represent Australia, such as Michael Clarke and Holly Ferling, but they have also helped encourage a lifelong relationship with cricket for many others, both as players and as fans. 

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has taken the opportunity to thank MILO for the partnership and its contribution to Australian cricket.

“We are extremely grateful for the loyal support of Nestlé (through their MILO brand) for sponsoring our junior participation programs over such a long period.  This has been an extraordinary partnership – and has been instrumental in providing generations of boys and girls with the inspiration to play cricket and to develop a lifelong love of the game.   

“Whilst we are sorry to see the end of our formal association with MILO, we note that this vacancy in our sponsorship ranks provides a unique opportunity for prospective commercial partners who wish to be associated with Australia’s national sport and our deep roots that extend back to kids, families and the broader community.”   

Nestlé general manager dairy Andrew McIver said that it had been a thrill to be part of a generation of children taking their first steps into sport.

“Seeing young children picking up a cricket bat and taking their first swing at a ball, knowing that we’re setting them for a lifetime of loving sport and being active, has been immensely satisfying for the MILO team. We want to thank Cricket Australia for such an enduring, valuable partnership.” 

The decision to bring the partnership to an end has been made after serious consideration by both parties and comes as Cricket Australia enters the final stages of a significant revamp of its entry level programs, with a re-launch planned for ahead of the 2018-19 season. In recognition of their strong relationship, MILO and Cricket Australia are exploring options to continue their association beyond the current season.