Lisburn-based company Mercury Security & Facilities Management (MSFM) has been unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) Senior Leagues.
MSFM will enjoy exclusive naming rights across NCU’s senior leagues in a three-year partnership that will see all competitions rebranded under the Mercury name – including the Men’s Premier League, Sections 1, 2 and 3, the Women’s Premier League and Women’s Senior League Section 1.
The Northern Cricket Union, which oversees competitive cricket across the region, has welcomed the Mercury partnership as a major boost for the sport and its ongoing efforts to encourage wider participation.
Callum Atkinson, Chief Executive of the Northern Cricket Union, said that MSFM’s support will help raise the profile of NCU senior leagues, enhance competition standards, and strengthen the pathway from grassroots to elite cricket.
“We are delighted to welcome Mercury Security & Facilities Management as official partner of the Northern Cricket Union,” said Mr Atkinson. “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to support and enhance our senior leagues, which are at the heart of the domestic game, and will make a real difference to clubs, players, and fans alike.
“Mercury is a respected and forward-thinking company, and their enthusiasm for community engagement and youth development perfectly aligns with our own mission to make cricket accessible and inclusive for everyone. We look forward to working closely with them as we continue to invest in the future of cricket across the NCU,” he added.
The NCU has experienced significant growth in recent years. 36 teams now compete in the Men’s senior leagues, five of which have been established in the last two years – including teams formed by players from ethnic minority backgrounds, highlighting the expanding and increasingly diverse cricket community within the NCU.
The Women’s structure has also experienced threefold growth in just five years, with 14 teams now featuring in the Women’s Premier League and Women’s Senior League 1 – demonstrating major progress in participation, visibility, and club investment.
Mercury Security & Facilities Management Managing Director Liam Cullen believes that the partnership with NCU reflects the company’s strong commitment to community and youth development.
“At Mercury, we are proud to support local sport and the communities that stand behind it,” said Liam. “Cricket has a remarkable ability to bring people together, build connections, and give young people the confidence and opportunities they need to grow — both on and off the field.
“Supporting the Northern Cricket Union allows us to play a part in strengthening those community bonds and contributing to something that genuinely enriches lives. This partnership reflects our belief in the power of sport to unite, inspire, and create lasting positive impact.
“We look forward to working closely with the NCU as it continues to develop clear pathways from grassroots to senior cricket and to champion the growth of both men’s and women’s cricket across Northern Ireland.
“It is a privilege to contribute to a sport that brings so much value and vibrancy to local communities,” he added.
The three-year sponsorship agreement came about following continued discussions between Mercury and NCU Domestic Director Alan Waite, during which a shared ambition was identified to promote sport and support community development.
The partnership was formalised after NCU Chief Executive Callum Atkinson and NCU Domestic Director Alan Waite met with MSFM’s Frank and Liam Cullen and both organisations aligned their goal of enhancing the profile and sustainability of domestic cricket.