Bartercard's John Attridge with ECB's Frank Kemp (left), chief executive David Collier (second left), and commercial director John Perera (right)

Australian-based company Bartercard has become the first official sponsor of the England and Wales Cricket Board's Officials Association (ECB OA).

The three-year deal, worth £100,000, is designed to raise the standard of umpiring and scoring in the game from grassroots club level through to minor county standard by providing equipment and training through the County Associations of ECB OA.

Bartercard spokesman John Attridge, himself an experienced umpire, said: "It might seem strange to some people that an Australian company should be looking to raise the standards of English cricket - but a healthy level of competition is in the interests of both countries.

"The ECB OA was established in 2006, so it's a relatively new initiative that will enable the ECB to conduct an extensive training programme for umpires and scorers at all levels in clubs up and down the country.

"We believe this will not only benefit the game as a whole, but also it will encourage more young people to get into cricket umpiring, either as well as or instead of playing, and we are delighted to be able to help the ECB work towards this aim.

"As the company was founded in Australia, there is a strong culture of sport running through it. Bartercard supports a number of sporting organisations, sponsoring the Australian round of the American Indycar series, as well as several football and rugby teams here in the UK including the Harlequins club.

"It also sponsors the main rugby league club competition in New Zealand, named the Bartercard Cup."

Frank Kemp, ECB head of operations for non First Class cricket said: "The involvement of Bartercard will make a real difference to ECB OA in each county board area by allowing the local associations to access the resources they need to support their members.

"ECB OA is open to all umpires and scorers and we want to recruit, train and develop officials at all levels of club cricket as well as providing a progression path for those with talent who want to officiate at the top of the game.

"We look forward to working with Bartercard to support the more than 1100 members who have already joined ECB OA."