With the ICC Women's World Cup just a week away, it feels like a great time to highlight all those clubs that are starting women's softball sections this season.
For some of the clubs below, providing female cricket is an entirely new venture, and for others, it is about expanding the offer at their clubs. For all, though, it is about growing the game and building inclusive, sustainable and thriving cricket clubs, writes Women & Girls' Development Officer, Ann-Marie Presswell.
"The season has started really well, with new teams starting at cricket clubs across the county. What's made it more special is that it’s not just the Tolchards Devon Cricket League clubs that are starting women's softball sections, but also smaller rural non-league clubs. It is so important in these communities that everyone can have access to sport and community at a local level," says Ann-Marie.
Leading the way in non-league clubs building women's sections are Chulmleigh & Mid Devon CC, Marldon CC and Yealmpton CC. All of these clubs have run taster sessions, with good numbers of participants turning up. This weekend, Marldon play their first friendly festival, while Chulmleigh host Barnstaple & Pilton CC for their first competitive game ahead of their festival on Sunday, 12 July.
Joe, who runs the sessions at Chulmleigh, commented: "The women’s section is thriving; it has brought members of many differing communities together and has brought a new life and vibe to the club. We often stay after training and talk about the session over a glass of prosecco and have a lot of laughs. The women's section has transformed the club into a more forward-thinking place, and it feels great!"
If your club would like to get involved, you can suit the format to work for your club. Sandford CC kick off their women’s softball session this week with Wine and Wickets, whereas North Devon CC have 'Coffee, Croissants and Cricket' on a Sunday morning, which is proving very popular.
Many clubs choose to run their softball cricket on the same evening as their junior training, as Topsham St James CC have done. This has proven really successful, with many women already at the club for junior training. The club are also set to host a softball cricket festival next month.
Contact
If your club are looking to start a women's softball section and need support and/or advice, please contact our Women and Girls' Development Officer, Ann-Marie Presswell:
ann-marie.presswell@devoncricket.co.uk
07494 151557
