As part of Women and Girls in Cricket Week, Cricket Victoria has unveiled something exciting for the future of the game. This six-year strategy is hoping for a 100 per cent increase in participation over that period.
A 100% per cent increase would see 30,000 women and girls participating in a sport that was almost closed off to them only a couple of decades ago.
Thankfully, through the work of the states and Cricket Australia, women's cricket is in a strong position in Australia, with full-time professionals all the way down from Ellyse Perry to those playing in the WNCL.
As well as participation, Cricket Victoria is looking to grow women in coaching with the goal being 1,000 women in leadership positions by the end of 2028.
“I want to see some focus on getting women in those coaching spaces.”
— Cricket Victoria (@cricketvictoria) November 23, 2022
Former Victorian and Australian player now coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick explains how she would love to see more female coaches in the game.#GrowingCricketForGirls #BecauseOfHer pic.twitter.com/nJKfiYsvX7
Cricket Victoria CEO, Nick Cummins, said the work was a critical platform for planning the successful growth of women and girls' participation.
“There is no question that the number of women and girls involved in Victorian cricket represents one of the biggest opportunities for the sport over the next decade,” Cummins said.
“Getting to where we want to be – and I’m confident can be, by 2028 – will be guided by this strategy. This informs the operational plans that Cricket Victoria puts in place and the collaboration with all our stakeholders – clubs, associations, affiliates, players and volunteers.”
It's good and well to have targets but of course, the most important thing is how Cricket Victoria achieves those goals. There are three pillars that will allow these lofty goals to be met.
The strategy is built on three key pillars:
strengthening the existing footprint in community cricket,
creating a truly integrated competition in Premier Cricket and
building the leading female High-Performance system in Australian cricket
Head of Female Cricket, Sharelle McMahon, said “the opportunity here is significant if we get it right. Cricket is a truly global game and we’re taking a holistic approach to ensure we can deliver consistency and appeal in our programs now and into the future.”
The goals might be lofty but they will be important as cricket tries to keep up with rival codes to attract the best female sporting talent in the country over the next decade.
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