Successful first season for the girls’ softball division in the North West Cricket League
• Exciting plans for the development and sustainability of girls’ cricket within the league
• Call for more girls and women to get involved
A survey undertaken in 2022 by Women in Sport found that 43% of girls who once considered
themselves ‘sporty’, drop out of sport after primary school. While puberty and body image may
contribute to this figure, lack of opportunity and years of gender stereotyping account for so much
more.
In 2023, the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League announced exciting plans to level the playing
field and introduce a girls’ softball division as part of a five-year strategy to establish a successful
female structure within the league.
Fast forward a year and the girls’ softball division proudly comprises of teams from Atherton,
Blackrod, Ramsbottom, Tonge and Wigan, and a “Hub” team (hosted and managed by Blackrod
Cricket Club), made up of girls from Horwich, Lostock and Westhoughton Cricket Clubs.
Divisional teams have welcomed experienced players (from mixed U9 and U11 teams) as well as girls,
completely new to the game. Despite their differences, the girls have gelled beautifully in an
environment designed to build skills, friendships and confidence.
While the first season was one of the wettest on record, the weather didn’t dampen the girls’ spirits
and we’re proud to announce Blackrod Girls as the winners of the girls’ softball division 2024.
Rebecca Dunn, whose daughter plays for Lostock U9s and Blackrod Hub said: “My daughter has had a
fantastic first season with Blackrod Girls Hub. She has continued to train with her other club but has
been made so welcome by Blackrod. She’s benefitted from additional training with the Blackrod
coaches and has been able to play for both her club and Blackrod Hub as the girls have games on
different days. Most importantly she has had the best time, made some fantastic new friends and she
loves her girls’ team matches.”
As a group of coaches, we share a sense of pride, which is deeply rooted in the friendships the girls
have made; the courage and resilience they’ve shown (despite the rain), and the way they inspire and
support each other every single week.
Kate Cross, Captain for England Women’s and Lancashire Thunder said: “It’s really great to see us
pushing women and girls’ cricket and really encouraging everyone to have an opportunity to play what
is a wonderful sport.”
Next season, we have ambitious plans to further develop the division so there’s a defined pathway for
girls to continue playing cricket throughout secondary school. Our commitment is to encourage our
girls to unapologetically take up a space previously occupied exclusively by boys and seize the
opportunity to carve out their own identity as girls and young women in cricket.
If you would like to get involved with girls’ cricket as a player or a coach, please contact Tracey Brooks
on 07878 755467