Streatham and Marlborough Cricket Club enjoyed a day full of celebrating women’s and girl’s cricket with a festival offering softball, junior and senior women’s cricket.
Attracting 80 women and girls down to the ground, the event gave the opportunity to anyone with any level of ability the chance to get involved and play some cricket.
The day started early with several inter-club junior girls’ games quickly followed by a softball tournament featuring local league teams Outwood CC and Sutton CC as well as an SMCC mums and juniors’ side.
The festival not only showcased some close matches and great performances, but it also highlighted the strength and depth of the women’s cricketing community, bringing people together and giving them the opportunity to develop and enjoy their cricket.
Marcie Hill, a 14-year-old junior player at SMCC, said: “I've been playing here since I was eight and was the only girl in the team for quite a while, so it's amazing to now be able to play in a women’s and girl’s festival! I've recently started playing with the women’s senior team - a great opportunity for me to get more match experience at that level. SMCC has been incredibly supportive of me as a female cricketer. I love being a part of this women and girl’s squad and watching as it continues to grow!”
SMCC Women’s first team captain Tanya Wanlass, said: “The festival day was a great showcase for women and girl’s cricket across all ages. The multi-format nature of cricket means players of any age can get involved, regardless of experience, and we had quite a few mums rolling back the years playing for the first time alongside their teenage daughters.
“As women’s club captain and mum to a junior, what I enjoy most about these days is seeing the support and encouragement between the women and all our different girls’ sections. Be that via mixed age matches, cheering on the sides, umpiring games or giving handy coaching tips, it all combines to create a really secure and friendly club environment for our girls (and us oldies!) to flourish in sport. What could be better than that?”