Future course set for women and girls cricket growth

Built in collaboration with the cricket community, the new strategy sets strong targets for the game by 2028 including a 100% increase in girls participation across Club and Woolworths Cricket Blast Cricket to 30,000 participants.

The announcement coincides with Women and Girls in Cricket Week – a celebration of the contribution of women and girls at every level and role in the game.

The strategy also sets out a roadmap to 1,000 active female coaches in Victoria and earmarks the Premier Cricket competition to become a net exporter of contracted state players.

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.”

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 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

Cricket Victoria’s General Manager – Community Cricket David White said there was strong support for the concept.

“We’re extremely fortunate in Victorian cricket to have the support, advice and input of so many across our game who share our passion and belief for what this game can and should deliver to women and girls,” White said.

Girls cricket participation in Victoria is already above pre-pandemic levels in a further sign of optimism.

General Manager – Premier Cricket Liam Murphy said “Premier Cricket is the bedrock of Victoria’s High Performance system and there is a lot we can do to ensure we’re delivering fit-for-purpose outcomes for women and girls. That’s through quality facilities, access to grounds and our competitions delivering retention and progression opportunities for players.”

The new 2023-28 CV Women and Girls strategy can be viewed and downloaded here.