ECB Coaches Association links Hitting the Seam Issue 37 | Page 17

Women tell us how much they value coaching. With many women
coming into the game later in life, having never played before,
coaching is essential to give them the confidence to
enjoy playing.
Yet many women have limited access to quality coaching in the
club environment and this may be one of the reasons behind the
high level of churn in the women’s game.
Recent research has shown that women expect very little from
cricket, but they still want to play. But maybe we should be
setting their expectations slightly higher; giving women the
quality of experience they deserve to keep them coming back,
and reduce the amount of turnover we are seeing across the game.
Currently, only 10 per cent of our clubs are offering cricket for
women and girls, and we have a significant opportunity right now to
change this. How are we going to inspire the girls engaged by All
Stars Cricket and Chance to Shine to stay involved in our clubs?
How are we going to persuade the mums who sit around the
boundary to pick up a bat and give cricket a go themselves? How
are we going to ensure that our existing network of hard ball
clubs are given the support to grow without having to drive
miles for a game?
Let’s grab hold of the exciting opportunity that hosting a
Women’s World Cup provides by making a step change for
women across the game. Let’s focus on raising their
expectations.
Quality – can we
improve the quality of
the welcome at our
cricket clubs and
create top class
playing experiences?
‘
Welcome
Connections – can we
raise the profile of
cricket for women and
girls, create new role
models and improve
our communications?
‘
Choice – can we create
more variety and
greater accessibility to
playing opportunities?
In 2017 we will be celebrating all that’s great about the women’s game and we would
love to hear about the successes you are having in inspiring more girls and women to
play, and in improving the experiences of those already enjoying cricket. #expect
State of the Nation
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