Women home in on Taunton

From left: Somerset chairman Giles Clarke, England captain Charlotte Edwards and ECB chief executive David Collier © Getty Images

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ECBtv was at the launch of Taunton as the Home of Women's Cricket - watch for free in the ECBtv Active Zone

The England and Wales Cricket Board, in conjunction with Somerset CCC, launched Taunton as the ‘Home of Women’s Cricket’ at the County Ground in Somerset.

This initiative, the first of its kind for women's cricket, gives the sport a permanent base.

One of the key reasons behind the scheme is to assist with the fixtures in the women’s game, for both domestic and international matches.

The ECB will endeavour to have domestic finals and key matches at Taunton every season with a view to bringing major domestic tournaments, such as the Challenge Cup and Junior Super 4s to Taunton in the future.

The England side and officials at the Taunton launch

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At least one women’s international match is guaranteed at the ground every year.

The sport is very popular amongst Somerset members and, starting with the first one-day international against South Africa in 1997, Somerset has hosted the international side seven times - eight including the second npower Test against India, which starts on Tuesday.

Regional events, such as training camps and, in particular, the South Region winter training sessions, will be held at the cricket school on site at the County Ground.

The Regional Women’s Forums, which take place in October, will also now be hosted in Taunton.

The new ground development planned for Somerset CCC will incorporate suitable facilities for female athletes, and the players will have access to all the services on a regular basis. Additionally, the South Women’s Regional Cricket Manager (WRCM) will have an office on site as part of the redevelopment.

From left Charlotte Edwards, Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, Jane Powell and Janet Southgate

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Promotion of women’s cricket will be an integral part of Somerset CCC’s advertising and promotional campaign for cricket.

Gill McConway, ECB executive director for women’s cricket, said: “Once again England is leading the way with new developments for women’s cricket.

“We organised the first cricket World Cup for women and the first international Twenty20.

“We also instigated Super 4s, a competition which other nations are really keen to integrate into their domestic game.

“For me, this is a huge step for the women’s game - to have a first-class county ground wanting women’s cricket to be an integral part of their future is a definite boost.

“It’s an especially exciting time as there are stunning new development plans for the ground and to be associated with one of England’s most progressive county schemes can only benefit the game.

“It will be the first time the women’s game will have continuity in the grounds where they play as Somerset CCC have guaranteed us an international every year.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with Richard Gould and his team to further develop this partnership and women’s cricket.”

Gould, chief executive of Somerset, added: “We’re delighted to make our facilities available to women’s cricket whenever required. One of our main aims is to make them feel at home here.

“We’re really pleased to help develop the women’s game throughout the country, particularly in the South West.”