Cricket Australia boosts investment into female cricket

Cricket Australia has announced a new $4 million investment into female cricket on the back of the successful inaugural Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) last summer. This is also targeted for growing participation among teenagers.

It also involves a $1 million investment per year over four years. Half of that will go directly to cricket clubs, associations, and secondary schools through the new Growing Cricket for Girls Fund.

The second half will be used to employ full-time female participation specialists across Australia to provide ongoing support to clubs, associations, and secondary schools.

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive is excited with the successful launch of Women’s Big Bash League. “Girls and women are playing cricket in record numbers and participation growth last summer was fuelled by the incredibly successful launch of the Women’s Big Bash League.”

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“Whilst cricket has had a national female competition for 70 years, we are committed to further investment to grow the female game with the Women’s Big Bash League at the forefront,” he added.

“The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are the world’s number one ranked women’s team – and our female cricketers are deservedly the best paid of all women’s team sports in our country.”

He pointed out that the women cricketers are role models for the young girls and could inspire them to play cricket. “Our female cricketers are wonderful role models and we are delighted to see their increasing exposure is inspiring more and more girls to play cricket.”

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Cricketer Alyssa Healy was excited with the initiative and said that it will have a huge impact. “It’s exciting to see this new investment in cricket. I know from my own experience of coming through community cricket that dedicated competitions for girls to play against other girls of the same age will have a huge impact on the development of them as cricketers and female cricket in general.” She said.