Notts Academy will have the backing of South Nottingham College in their inaugural Premier League season after agreeing a two-year shirt sponsorship deal.

The Academy won promotion as champions of the Bassetlaw League last season, earning them the right to compete in Nottinghamshire’s most prestigious cricket league.

“South Nottingham College have been tremendously supportive of our Academy initiatives and this deal is a natural extension of our relationship,” said Nottinghamshire’s Academy Director Chris Tolley.

“This is the first time that we’ve entered into a shirt sponsorship deal and I hope that it proves beneficial for both parties””

Several Notts Academy players are enrolled on academic courses at South Nottingham College and combine their studies with a structured programme of cricket at Trent Bridge.

“The Notts Academy has a great track record in introducing players to careers in professional cricket and we’re proud as a college to have an association with that,”said Adam Beazeley, Head of School for Sport, Travel and Tourism at South Nottingham College.

“It’s important that aspirant sportspeople don’t lose sight of the value of education whether they make it in the professional code or not and we hope our courses have proved to be a good fit for members of the Academy.”

Notts Academy play their home fixtures at Lady Bay on Saturday afternoons and admission is free.