Women’s cricket participation surges

Cricket Australia opened the Growing Cricket for Girls Fund in 2016 for community cricket clubs and associations to further grow opportunities for girls to play cricket. The response from clubs and associations was so overwhelming, particularly in Victoria, that Cricket Australia doubled their investment from $500,000 to $1 million in the first 12 months.

Victorian clubs and associations have been excited to showcase the results of Cricket Australia’s investment in recent months, with more junior girls signing up and putting on the pads. The recent Rebel Women’s Big Bash League has only helped drive participation and engagement.

Within weeks of announcing their new competition, Warrnambool & District Cricket Association had grown from their anticipated four teams to 10, with clubs entering Under 13 and Under 16 teams across two divisions.

The Renegades Girls Cricket League – Gisborne was overwhelmed with the response locally, where over 50 new girls were introduced to cricket in a fun and welcoming environment.
Additionally, there has also been a number of coaching workshops, with guest appearances from a number of WBBL players including the Melbourne Renegades’ Molly Strano and Hobart Hurricanes’ Julie Hunter.

As part of the funding conditions, clubs and associations are required to offer approved modified formats of cricket to encourage participation and also provide appropriate facilities on and off-field to ensure that the girls are receiving an enjoyable experience in a safe and welcoming environment.

Councils have been supportive in welcoming the growth of girls’ cricket by assisting clubs and associations to find central venues, with suitable facilities to host female cricketers, parents, volunteers and coaches.

Cricket Victoria Pathway, Club & Competitions Development Manager Scott Tutton said that it’s crucial that cricket continues to provide new opportunities and a pathway for women to have success in cricket.

“It is absolutely critical that our sport provides an opportunity for young girls that is welcoming, fun and allows them to chance to ultimately have some success,” Tutton said.

“Providing them with a modified game format allows for not only skill development, but it also provides the girls with the chance to express themselves and show off skills they may have picked up in other sports. Playing these games on high quality pitches and outfields only helps to speed up that process.”

Campaigns such as #ChangeOurGame, #AllGirlsCan and Born To Play are helping to boost the profile of women’s sport and promote local girls competitions from Horsham to Hampton, Tootgarook to Toorak, Benalla to Beaumaris and Grampians to Glen Iris.