Over the last four years, Anna has been on a mission to create a thriving girls’ cricket scene for her local area. Her efforts have certainly paid dividends.
In 2025, Chichester Priory Park CC will run U9, U11, and U13 girls’ teams. About 70 girls, ranging from five to 15 years old, regularly take part in coaching sessions. And the club’s membership statistics are tilting more towards gender equality with every year that passes.
All of this comes after the club started with no previous girls’ section. “Over the last few years, the club has really prioritised women’s and girls’ cricket,” says Anna. “There wasn’t a pathway for girls and there wasn’t a women’s section. Thankfully, that’s now changing.”
The cricket, however, is not always Anna’s main motivation.
“To me, it’s all about the relationships,” she says. “Sports clubs are so special because they bring together so many different backgrounds, families, and family set-ups. It’s lovely to see the girls come along and join in with any girl that’s there.”
She adds: “I want to be able to create an inclusive, family-oriented club. It’s not just the girls: it’s the mums, dads, siblings, and that overall togetherness. When you put on your shirt, you’re part of the club – and it doesn’t matter where you’re from.
“We want every one of these girls to feel appreciated. We want them to feel special every time they come to training. Their skill level doesn’t matter. Just being part of the club is giving them something much, much bigger.”
Anna’s ambitions are also much bigger. “We’d like to have a girls’ team at every age group from U9s to U17s,” she says.
As a busy primary school teacher and mum of two young children, time doesn’t always come easy. It’s a testament to her dedication and organisation that so much has been achieved in so few years.
“I’d played a bit of cricket at school, but when I met my other half and saw how heavily involved he was, I thought I’d give it another go,” she says. “What do they say? If you can’t beat them, join them.”
She adds: “When I had my daughter, I realised there was no pathway for her. I wanted to show her that mummy can do it. It all spiralled from there.”
Anna’s daughter, who is now nine, began with the All stars programme. She wanted to ensure that there was a pathway after this and that's what spurred her on to start the girls only Dynamos programme. “That ECB initiative has 100% sparked our girls’ pathway,” says Anna. “If we as a club hadn’t started Dynamos, there’s not a chance we’d be where we are now.”
She adds: “It means so much to know that my daughter has a pathway and can stay at the club for as long as she wants. Watching those girls every week, seeing the enjoyment and standing there as friendships are formed – it’s all so special. Of course, it’s a juggle. But the rewards are just amazing.”
The 2025 season will see another opportunity for the brilliant volunteers at the heart of recreational cricket to be celebrated in next year’s Cricket Collective Awards. Cricket Boards in England and Wales will soon begin collecting nominations for this season. For more information on how you can nominate in your local area, check out your Cricket Board’s website or contact them for more details.
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