Cricket-loving students at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School (BVGS) have recently played against some of Sri Lanka’s finest amateur talent during a ten-day tour of the country.

The school’s best 16 cricketers from years 8-10 travelled to Sri Lanka and played four games over the course of the tour, allowing the talented team to put their skills to the ultimate test.

With the support and financial backing of Mere Green-based dentistry, Smile by Smile, the school team received shirt sponsorship and covers for the school pitch.

Smile by Smile dental practitioner and ex-pupil, Amit Chudasama (OV2001) was eager to support the school’s cricket tour once hearing of the proposed plans, having played with BVGS Corporate Partnership Development Director, Brian Davies, during his school days.
Through a close relationship with the school and a shared passion for the sport, Amit and Smile by Smile agreed to throw its support behind the tour, also paying for the team’s equipment covers.

The experience will allow pupils to enjoy healthy cricketing competition, while experiencing the beautiful culture of Sri Lanka. 
Amit commented: “Being an avid cricket fan myself and having played plenty of matches during my time at Bishop Vesey’s, I was extremely keen to support the school’s tour of Sri Lanka once I heard of the plans.

“Through my close relationship with Development Director, Brian Davies, I could see his passion for the tour and how much it meant to the students who had been working hard in training over the past couple of years.

“Of course, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience playing the sport you love within a different country, challenging yourself against some of the best amateur talent around.

“Smile by Smile is very proud to be shirt sponsors for the cricket tour, and we wish the team the best of luck with their upcoming matches.”
Brian said: “Amit has been a longstanding supporter of Bishop Vesey’s and I have seen first-hand his passion for the school and the sporting opportunities it provides for students.

“Having given career talks at the school in the past, Amit and Smile by Smile have kindly offered their support to the tour and given us the much-needed funding for shirt sponsors and other equipment.

“In recent times cricketing opportunities at the school have not been exactly where we’d have liked them to be due to upcoming exams and pupils being busy with revision and other preparations.

“Over the last couple of years there has been an increased focus on cricket at the school, and I believe we have a good standard team who will really benefit from the experience of playing other talented teams across the world.

“We’re looking forward to the upcoming matches and are extremely grateful to Smile by Smile and other local businesses for all their ongoing support.”