Ashburton CC are the latest recipients of a Discretionary Development Grant, given jointly by the Tolchards Devon Cricket League and the David Shepherd Cricket Trust. The award of £500 was given for the development of the club’s women and girls' section,

At the start of the season, the club had only three players interested and have been able to grow this to a membership of 14 players aged from 13 upwards who are now training weekly and developing their skills and enjoyment of cricket. The grant has allowed Ashburton CC to invest in much-needed softball cricket equipment for training and also to create a team identity by making kit affordable. There are a mixture of abilities and experience within the team with a number of younger players playing for their school teams. There are also a number of players across a range of ages who have never played cricket before and have wanted to give it go. There have even been some who were part of the original Ashburton women’s set-up, which sadly folded 20 years ago who are keen to get back into cricket. The group have gelled superbly, and the inclusive and friendly atmosphere sees everyone valued and mixing no matter age or abilities.

The club work with Ann-Marie Presswell, Women and Girls' Development Officer of the Devon Cricket Foundation, who has been incredibly supportive throughout and has enabled them to get in contact easily with other women's softball teams in the area. Links have also developed with the local secondary school where girls' cricket is developing. The team has now played its first games, this was a big moment for the players as they entered the friendly festival hosted by Bovey Tracey on Sunday 21st July. Nerves were high but the whole team really enjoyed themselves and applied themselves superbly to the morning. Again, confidence has grown as a result. There are a number of friendly fixtures arranged during the rest of July and August.

The wider club have been incredibly supportive and have been able to call on extra coaching through the club, this has enabled the support of the players development through smaller group coaching. The most important thing is players enjoying themselves and growing in confidence. As a club there is a big focus on the positive impact of cricket on mental wellbeing and the women's section encompasses this fantastically as the players talk openly about how they are growing in confidence and enjoyment and are enjoying the company of the rest of the group

Whist the club are thrilled with the success of the startup of the women's section the ultimate goal is to ensure it is sustainable. There are plans now to develop the women’s section and ensure it is led and represented by the players themselves. The next step is to have a designated captain who will represent the team on the club committee and also be supported by a manager to help arrange fixtures and coaching as we progress. Over time (hopefully this winter) they will also be encouraging a few of the players to attend the foundation coaching course so that they can work with the club’s existing coaches to develop their skills at leading training sessions and again move towards a more sustainable and independent set up which will continue to bring the enjoyment of women and girls cricket at Ashburton CC for years to come.

Further information about the Discretionary Development Grants may be found on the League’s Play-Cricket site at Devon Cricket League (play-cricket.com) or by contacting Ed Leverton, Development sub-committee member, on 07534 579924.