The MCC University (MCCU) scheme has received a significant boost with news that a sponsor has been found to cover previous cuts in funding.The MCC announced earlier this year that they were to cut their funding of the programme by around 50% (from over £550,000 a year to around £275,000 a year) from the start of 2017. With the ECB unwilling to make-up the shortfall, the long-term viability of the scheme had been in doubt.But now Deloitte, the accountancy and consultancy firm, have been secured on a two-year deal. While the search for more sponsors and longer term deals goes on, the centres can expect higher levels of funding than anticipated this year and less of a shortfall than feared next.Around 23% of current England-qualified cricketers involved in the first-class game developed in part through the MCCU scheme which has six centres in Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Loughborough and Leeds-Bradford. Among the players to have graduated through the system are director of cricket for the England team, Andrew Strauss, Ireland captain William Porterfield, Surreys Zafar Ansari, former England spinner Monty Panesar, Kents Sam Billings and England Womens captain, Heather Knight.Set-up by former England opener Graeme Fowler in 1996, the aim was to ensure young people did not have to choose between education and cricket. By providing them with good quality coaching and playing opportunities at the same time as allowing them to gain a further education, the scheme not only encourages some into sport who might otherwise be lost, but prepares those who do break into the professional for the life after their sporting retirement.Fowler has long argued that the ECB have a duty of care to fund the scheme, suggesting it helps avoid some of the pitfalls encountered by players as they look for opportunities once their on-field careers come to an end.Not only does this scheme encourage more of the best and brightest players to pursue a career in the game, Fowler told ESPNcricinfo in March, but it honours the duty of care we should have to them at both ends of their career.While the programme perhaps does not generate the coverage it deserves - it sometimes suffers for being judged on its short-term, on-field results rather than its long-term, off-field impact - a strong case could be mounted to suggest it offers, alongside the PCAs personal development programme, one of the most positive developments in player welfare since the introduction of pensions and insurance policies. It receives no direct funding from the ECB.It easily represents the biggest outlay of funds made each year by the MCC on cricket projects. The MCC has, over the last decade, spent more than £6.5m on the project and, in addition to the six MCCU centres, includes the funding of the MCC Combined Universities side (which consists of cricketers unsigned by the first-class counties and has just enjoyed its best season in the 2nd XI Championship) and the Loughborough Women side.Fowler stood down from his post at Durham MCCU in 2015. He was concerned by changes to the programme which he saw as an emphasis shift away from the development of excellence and more towards community based initiatives. Chicago Cubs Shirts . PETERSBURG, Fla. Fake Cubs Jerseys .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. https://www.cheapcubs.com/ .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Chicago Cubs Store . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Wholesale Cubs Jerseys .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When All-American forward AJa Wilson struggled to score and got saddled with fouls early in the third quarter, South Carolinas newest players came to the rescue.Transfer guards Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray combined for 61 points in their debuts and the No. 7 Gamecocks opened their season by defeating seventh-ranked Ohio State 92-80 on Monday.Davis, a two-time All-ACC selection and the conferences leading scorer in 2014-15 for Georgia Tech before transferring and sitting out last season, had 37 points. She scored seven points to help the Gamecocks go from a two-point lead to a 64-56 advantage in the third quarter.Sitting out a year was tough but we were excited to come in and play such a good team as Ohio State she said. To be able to get a win is a great start for us and me.Gray, a transfer from North Carolina, added 24 points for the Gamecocks, who beat the Buckeyes 88-80 at home to open last season. Alaina Coates had 10 points and 13 reboundsThe wait was worth it, Gray said. Its a great feeling to be back.Kelsey Mitchell led Ohio State (1-1) with 27 points despite picking up two fouls in the first quarter. Sierra Calhoun had 18 points and Shayla Cooper 15.Our defense wasnt up to par, Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. When you play a great team like South Carolina, if youre not going to defend youre not going to win.The Gamecocks did their damage despite Wilson scoring only five points. She picked up her third foul with 5:10 remaining in the third and the Gamecocks up 52-48, but she remained in the game only to exit 40 seconds later on her fourth foul.Her absence paveed the way for Davis and Gray, who had 22 and 14 points in the second half, respectively.dddddddddddd.With Wilson getting in foul trouble early that made it difficult to get the ball inside, Gray said. It was one of those games we had to apply ourselves and maybe take certain shots we wouldnt take in other games.NO SOLACEMitchell took no satisfaction in limiting Wilson to 11 points below her season average last season, I dont know how much you can talk about that because they still won and we didnt do good on defense.NOT SO FASTThe tempo was slower than what the teams displayed in their last meeting, in part because 51 fouls (29 to Ohio State) ruined the rhythm. Compared to last years game, that was like watching paint dry, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said.TIP-INSSouth Carolina: The Gamecocks began their 43rd season and the ninth under Staley. They are 31-12 in openers, including 9-9 on the road. ... South Carolina is one of two teams (UConn the other) to appear in every AP top five since the start of the 2014-15 season.Ohio State: It was a busy night in Value City Arena. The OSU men played North Carolina Central University three hours after the womens game started at 6 p.m. ET. This was the womens first game in the building this season after playing Duquesne in nearby St. John Arena.UP NEXTSouth Carolina: The Gamecocks host Hampton on Sunday to start a three-game homestand.Ohio State: The third of four straight home games is Wednesday vs. Cleveland State. ' ' '