Award shows women’s cricket no laughing matter in Scotland

In seeking to differentiate between the sexes, comedian Billy Connolly used to do a routine about how, just as men can’t wrap Christmas presents, women were just as unlikely to possess the ability to bowl overarm at cricket. But the Big Yin’s observation is now well wide of the stumps, as recent developments have shown.

This week, Cricket Scotland picked up a Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards for 2011 in the Best Women’s Cricket Initiative category for the formation and management of the Women’s National League, as well as general excellence in the development of all aspects of women and girls cricket to increase participation numbers in Scotland.

It is welcome recognition for the steady growth of the women’s game, with playing numbers doubling in the last year. Liz Smith MSP, who won seven caps for Scotland and coached girls’ cricket at George Watson’s College, believes Cricket Scotland deserve much credit for recent advances,

“Cricket is a first-class game for girls, and I’m not surprised to hear that it is the fastest growing sport in Scotland, thanks to renewed efforts by Cricket Scotland to ensure there is a better structure put in place through which more girls and women can play competitively,” said the Holyrood member.

“Applying a similar regional network to that in the men’s and boys’ game is proving successful in attracting more females into clubs, and there has been a huge increase in primary school activity, which augurs well for the future.

“Personally, I would like to see more secondary schools taking up girls’ cricket on the same basis as other school sports.

“I’m sure the recent successes of the English test team and the Scottish men’s team in the county scene have inspired young people to get involved in the game. What is needed now is a full league and cup structure for women, which is properly managed and conducive to both school and club facilities and timescales.”

Six clubs competed in the inaugural women’s national league this year, although this will be expanded in due course, starting with the formation of a women’s team at Carlton Cricket Club in Edinburgh.

The Grange Loan club, who won the men’s Scottish Premiership and national T20 championships last season, is taking advantage of an increasingly close association with Edinburgh University Cricket Club, with a view to establishing a women’s team for the 2012 season.

Helen Blair, who has been appointed captain of the University Women’s cricket team for the forthcoming campaign, has been heavily involved in the discussions, and is confident that progress can continue to be made in a sport where, until recently, there was a lack of competitive opportunities for women in Scotland.

“We’re looking to further boost the participation of women playing organised cricket,” she said. “This, in turn, would increase the pool of available talent for the national side.” Carlton have already proved adept at nurturing young Scottish talent, with former junior club player Leigh Kasperek selected during the summer as one of only two European representatives to spend two weeks with the MCC’s Women’s Young Cricketers at Lords. Kasperek has since gone on to play for the Western Australia State team, becoming the first female in Scotland to play in a state side.

Kari Carswell, who manages the national women’s team, is determined that the momentum is maintained in the longer term. “Women’s and girls’ cricket is growing year on year, and it’s important that we not only continue to grow the game at grass-roots level, but also put the structures around the game so the growth is sustainable,” said Carswell.

“With Carlton starting a ladies team, it takes the total for next season to nine, and that gives all the women and girls out there playing cricket a reasonable structure to play at the moment, through the women’s national league and also the Scottish Cup.

“In the long term, having a complete player pathway that allows girls to move from school to regional squads and then international squads is a fantastic development for the game, and everyone will have an opportunity to play at the level that will maximise their ability,” she said.

Anyone interested in putting themselves forward for the Carlton Women’s initiative should contact Helen Blair at [email protected]