Tributes to Hare

9 October 2009

Yorkshire and women’s cricket is deeply saddened by the passing of one of life’s true characters - Barbara Hare

Hare, the heartbeat of Yorkshire Women’s cricket for many years, lost her battle with cancer following some three years of variable health.

Those who did not know Barbara personally will have probably heard her at one time or other, sharing her opinion from the sidelines, usually with her own team, telling them to tuck their shirts in or very directly pointing out that their fielding was not up to her high exacting standards - something that members of the current England squad also became very used to this summer.

Despite over 40 years' involvement Barbara always claimed not to really know anything about cricket - she also played in goal and coached hockey to a high standard - however, someone who travels so widely, watching all those matches cannot fail to learn a bit about the game, and Barbara put that to very good use.

Following the merger between WCA and ECB in 1998 Barbara was invited to join the Women’s Cricket Advisory Group (WCAG) and was never one to shy away from sharing her thoughts. Although clearly frustrated by the assertion that ‘the essence of the meeting would be taken forward’ she kept chipping away to make a difference.

She was a stalwart of North Riding WCC (now Old Modernians WCC) and as Chair of the Yorkshire Women’s Cricket Association (YWCA) Barbara presided over the most successful county team to date as Yorkshire won 12 out of 13 championship titles.

One of the crowning moments was her visit to Buckingham Palace with members of the team to receive the championship trophy from HRH Prince Philip.

What followed were challenging years for Yorkshire which saw the retirement of half the senior squad, understandably contributing to a slump in fortunes. A lesser person may have given up at that point, knowing they had already done their bit, but not Barbara, who stuck by and continued to believe in Yorkshire and in each and every one of its players.

After holding things together during the tough times, Barbara finally stepped down as YWCA chair in 2007. However this was far from an end to her input into women’s cricket and she was a regular spectator and commentator at both Yorkshire and England games during the summer, uncannily always arriving just in time for tea.

She was delighted to be present in Australia for the World Cup and even more delighted for the England girls when they won. Topping it off for her was being able to see the success, and dancing, of Yorkshire player Katherine Brunt who she had seen grow as a player throughout the years.

There was no one more proud than Barbara when with two games still to go Yorkshire seniors took the Division 2 title finally earning Yorkshire a return to the top flight. And yet again, despite not being well, she was there to see the nail biting Under-13 and Under-17 semi-finals against Devon, and two weeks later the finals against Surrey and Sussex respectively, seeing both Yorkshire squads lift the trophies with superb team performances.

Whilst there are some who will remember the occasionally eccentric Barbara who told it like it was, there are many a cricketer and cricket lover, both from within and beyond Yorkshire, who will have stories to tell about how Barbara’s good humour, care and support made them laugh, or helped them through challenging times and contributed to their continued participation and enjoyment of cricket as a result.

It may come as no surprise to friends that Barbara was apparently talking right to the end. Grace was not necessarily a word readily linked with Barbara and yet the dignity with which she faced her final challenge shows the true nature of the person. So determined was she not to let people know how bad the illness had got that for many the disbelief at her passing is likely to last for some time.

At the core of everything Barbara did lay a simple desire to encourage as many girls and women to play cricket and enjoy the game as possible, setting high standards and striving to win, whilst enjoying life.

There is no doubt that Barbara will be sorely missed and there will be a huge gap, but the unflinching and modest dedication, commitment and service she gave so freely to the game has laid the sound foundation on which Yorkshire’s successes, both past and present were based and for that reason Barbara’s legacy will go on for many years to come.

Your comments

I am not one who normally does this sort of thing but Barbabra left such a positive lasting memory on me and considering I only met her for about 3 hours thats something!!!

I met Barbara at the Sussex v Yorkshire U17 final and what a character!!

She lived every moment of that afternoon watching/flitting between the 2 games of the u13's and 17's and made me as a nervous Dad feel quite calm!!

Sadden to hear the news and I pass on my condolences to family and YCCC.

Adam Phelps

Sussex CCC

Adam Phelps on 04/11/09

I believe I can lay fame to introducing and persuading Barbara to play cricket. I was sometimes in despair, when she used to question the umpires, and when she appealed for "handling the ball" because of an earlier "poor" decision, I had to withdraw the appeal. Barbara however, always turned up, was a willing worker and persuaded others to join the club. She was no mean wicket keeper, sometimes talking the batsmen out. She was the perfect person for a cricket team as she wanted to win, but she wanted everyone in the team to shine, not just herself. In her later years, as I left the Yorkshire Organization she became very involved, and I am proud to say I accompanied her to Australia to see the World Cup in March, because she was sure that England would win and had a side line bet with my brother. She was so proud that they had done so well and she knew that some of this was due to her efforts. A life long friend. I will miss her as you could always rely on Barbara to help you if you were in trouble, and she always welcomed you into her home.

Dorothy M. Furby 16.10.09

Dorothy Furby on 04/11/09

I was shocked and saddened on hearing that Barbara had passed away. I heard about the sad news at dinner to celebrate Hayes Hurricanes success in 2009 from Katherine Leng, one of Barbara's youngsters who went on to play for Yorkshire and England, and who is continuing to enjoy her cricket in Kent.
I have to admit that I was suddenly taken aback when 'Lengy' said that she was going to pay her last respects to Barbara because I did not know that she had been unwell. Memories of the few times I was in the company of Barbara instantly came flooding back.
Sarah Pickford's tribute to Barbara is absolutely spot on. It was just great sharing a few drinks and talking with her about women's and girls cricket. I don't think I have ever met such a passionate person about the game.
Yorkshire have had some lean times in recent years but their age group teams are coming good and their seniors are now back in the top flight. I am glad that Barbara could witness it all happening and that her legacy will be future success for her beloved county.

David Sear on 04/11/09

She and her "Come on Yorkshire" as she walked around the pitch will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know her. From Coral.

Coral Handley on 04/11/09

I am sad to hear that Barbara has passed away after her illness. She was a great supporter of not only Yorkshire cricket, but also the Irish Ladies side. I have fond memories of her clear and often helpful advice from the sideline when we toured Yorkshire many moons ago.
She brought a smile to my face then and now.

Janice Walsh
Cricket Ireland

Janice Walsh on 04/11/09

On behalf of Dutch women's cricket I would like to offer my condolances re. the passing away of Barbara Hare. A true and great friend and supporter of women's cricket, also in The Netherlands!
I first met Barbara in 1977, when a new NDCB (Dutch women's cricket association) XI toured Yorkshire, and for sure Barbara was there to arrange things, help us out, et cetera. The last time I met Barbara was this summer, when unexpectedly we met in Taunton during the Women's Twenty20 World Cup. Of course we sat together and discussed the match we observed in all its aspects.... In between these years we occassionally met. Two years ago she visited the European Women's Championships in The Netherlands, and together we visited the monkey's zoo at Apeldoorn; great fun!
For me Barbara was indeed, as Sarah Pickford mentioned in her beautiful description of Barbara, this eccentric but immensely-cricketloving person, with cricket running through her veins. Barbara Hare and women's cricket was, and will be, one and the same thing for me.
Ingrid van der Elst

Ingrid van der Elst on 22/10/09

Thank you Sarah Pickford for the wonderful tribute you have written about Barbara. Barbara was one of these givers that sport is so lucky to have. She gave so much but never asked for anything back and sadly we never acknowledge this until after her death. Wow if anyone deserved acknowledgement she did. I feel so very, very sad about this. I feel privilege to have worked with her, I loved her straight answers and forthright views. She listened, never sulked and still kept a smile and friendship even if she did not get her own way. A wonderful character that brought many a smile to my face when I really needed it!!
Gill McConway
14.10.09

Gill McConway

gillian mcconway on 14/10/09

To comment, please login or register on the site.