IMPACT REPORT 2023

10 NOT TI NGHAM S H I R E COUNT Y CR I CK E T C LUB women & girls Aided and abetted by an increased profile in the national conversation, opportunities for females in cricket continue to grow. Over the past year, 10 new girls’ teams have formed to enter the inaugural girls’ hardball summer league, while 14 new sides entered the East MidlandsWomen’s Cricket League (EMWCL). Existing clubs have more than played their part in the expansion too, with 13 new sections established, while 552 girls have been introduced to the sport through the All Stars and Dynamos initiatives for children aged between 5 and 11. The number of women involved in off-field roles is snowballing too, with 108 new South Asian female activators trained in the past 12 months (up from 50 in 2021), and 53 new female coaches and 8 female officials receiving training. With Nottinghamshire’sWomen, the elite regional side The Blaze andTrent Rockets all now based at Trent Bridge, opportunities for inspiration and to learn from the expertise of the professionals will be many in the coming years – and we hope to see those links continue to bear fruit in 2023. CASE STUDY CHANGING THE GAME When Covid-19 caused recreational cricket to enter a period of hibernation, there appeared to be a danger that the momentum that was gathering at EastwoodTown CC to develop their women’s section may be lost. Eastwood’s successes in 2022, however, have proved that their grassroots growth in the women and girls’ game has been sustainable. A core of 20 women, ranging in age from 18 to 63, regularly play softball cricket for the club – only three of whom had ever played the sport before the establishment of the teams at Eastwood. A second-placed finish in their softball league, qualification for the regional final and cup wins in indoor and outdoor forms of the game all followed. Meanwhile, the establishment of a Super 8s hardball team in collaboration with Kimberley Institute CC showcased the power of thinking beyond traditional club boundaries, with this side achieving promotion ahead of the 2023 season.