Nottinghamshire has played a pivotal role in more than 2,000 women from South Asian backgrounds taking up volunteer roles nationally in cricket in just under four years.

Funded by Sport England, and a central pillar of the ECB’s South Asian Action Plan, the Dream Big Desi Women initiative set out to inspire 2,000 women from South Asian backgrounds to volunteer in cricket through delivering All Stars and Dynamos sessions – two ECB-backed schemes for children – and has hit its target ahead of schedule.

Each of the 2,000 volunteers have been delivering sessions for children and at least 10% have gone on to take up full-time roles in sport in local communities across the UK, with many taking up further qualifications in cricket coaching. 

In Nottinghamshire, Harpreet Kalsi-Virdi used the Dream Big Desi Women to begin her cricketing journey.

She initially volunteered at Haydn Rd Community Cricket Club All Stars & Dynamos sessions, before completing her Foundation I Coaching qualification. 

She is now a member of Nottinghamshire’s casual coaching staff, supporting delivery of All Stars, Dynamos and Street in the city. 

In 2021, she won a Grassroots Cricket Award in the category of ‘Inspired to Play’ for her work in encouraging children in the city to take part in All Stars and Dynamos at Scotholme Primary School

“Dream Big Desi Women transformed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” She said.

“I went from having no real experience of sport to coaching at three separate cricket clubs in Nottingham and running cricket sessions in a local school alongside my day job. 

“My family have been nothing but supportive and I am proud to be a role model for my twin daughters and their friends.”

Rolled out in England’s most ethnically diverse communities, the programme dismantles barriers faced by South Asian women by taking cricket into non-traditional venues including mosques, temples and gurdwaras.

The programme also provides playing kit specially tailored to South Asian cultures, gives participants a chance to build networks in local communities, and has delivered mental health awareness training for over 200 of the participants.

A special celebration of the programme was held at Lord’s on 24 September 2022 as England Women took on India Women in a One-Day International, with fans enjoying traditional South Asian activities including kitemaking, Henna and South Asian food.