Designed to increase understanding, build awareness and confidence to apply, the program combined expert-led workshops, hands-on challenges, and real-world applications to empower participants in their coaching and leadership roles.
Following an inspiring first residential weekend in Manchester, the program continued with three online workshops, covering resilience, imposter syndrome, and values, helping participants develop a deeper understanding of the mindset and behaviours required for effective leadership.
In addition to group sessions, each participant worked one-on-one with a dedicated leadership developer, ensuring they could apply their learnings in their own coaching environments.
Final Residential Weekend: A Leadership Journey Like No Other
The final residential weekend brought the cohort together once more for an unforgettable, high-impact experience, expertly facilitated by Paul Shaw (ECB Specialist Coach Developer), Gemma Douglas (Sports Psychologist), and Rowly Williams (ECB Advanced Coach Developer). Adding another layer of elite sporting insight, Ellie Threlkeld (Lancashire Thunder Captain) joined the weekend, providing invaluable perspective and mentorship to the cohort.
- Exploring Cutting-Edge Leadership with Kraken Technology & Octopus Energy
The weekend began with an exclusive session at Kraken Technology / Octopus Energy, where participants gained insights into their innovative leadership model and revolutionary team dynamics. This immersive experience challenged conventional leadership thinking and demonstrated the power of agility, collaboration, and individual development within high-performing organizations. - Putting Leadership into Action at The Crystal Maze
To bring leadership skills to life, the group stepped into the Crystal Maze experience, where they were tested on their ability to communicate, problem-solve, and work under pressure—translating key leadership concepts into a fun yet demanding real-world setting. - High-Performance Coaching with Craig Morris & White Water Rafting Challenge
Day two saw the cohort spend time at Lee Valley Olympic Water Centre, working with Craig Morris (Padel UK Podium Coach), who shared his formula for success in coaching Olympic athletes. The group then faced their own test of resilience—white water rafting in freezing temperatures, where they were guided through strategies for coping in high-pressure and uncomfortable situations by Sports Psychologist Gemma Douglas. - Understanding High-Performing Team Cultures & Personal Reflections
Once warmed up, participants explored the Change House Model, a framework for managing transitions and embracing change within leadership. The final day focused on high-performing team cultures and values, before culminating in candidate presentations, where participants shared their learnings, applications, and leadership challenges from the program.
A Transformational Experience for Future Female Leaders in Cricket
The Women’s Leadership Development Program has provided participants with a holistic, high-impact leadership experience, blending theory with real-world application, challenge, and reflection. By immersing participants in elite sporting and business environments, the program has created a powerful foundation for the next generation of female coaching leaders in cricket.
Gemma Douglas [Sports Psychologist], said: “It has blown me away, just how much everyone has applied themselves throughout the course and how they have come together to create such an impactful shared experience. It was clear from the first weekend that regardless of county, experience, role or responsibility, everyone in the room shared the vision of using their leadership position to raise the standards of the game. Every individual showed a genuine willingness to use this course as a platform to better understand themselves, in order to better influence the people and systems that they lead. I think the exposure to a range of different high-performance settings (both within & outside of sport), has helped them to normalise the challenges that can exist when leading teams, and to develop strategies and principles to help guide their own practice. I really hope that we can continue to follow the progress and impact this cohort continue to have applying their take aways and driving the game forwards! It has been a special course to be a part of”
Adam Brown [Advanced Coach Developer], said: “This program has been a game-changer for the coaches involved, giving them not just leadership knowledge, but the confidence and real-world experiences to apply it effectively. We’ve seen remarkable growth in each individual, and we’re excited to see how they take these learnings forward.”
Chelsea Alagoa [Women and Girls Development Officer, ACE] said: “The Female Leadership programme was transformative. It provided me with the confidence to pursue new opportunities, connected me with an inspiring national network of women in cricket, and was expertly facilitated with remarkable transparency and vulnerability. The programme's participant-centred approach and diverse insights made it an invaluable professional development experience.”
Jennifer Jackson-Tullett [Head of Talent Pathway, Surrey CCC] said: “This course has been of the best things I have experienced, both from a professional and personal point of view. I came into this feeling sceptical about what may be in store and how this could help me in the future, but as soon as the first weekend had finished I knew that it was going to be special. The caring nature of the facilitators combined with their knowledge and passion to support female leaders was something I had never experienced before, and something that made this course stand out from anything else I have done. It sounds bizarre to say that one course has been life changing but I truly believe that it has, not just for me but for everyone who was involved. I feel very privileged to have been part of this, and I know that is going to continue to support female leaders for a long time to come.”
Bethan Gammon [Regional Talent Manager, The Blaze] said: “The female leadership program has been one of the most impactful programmes I have been a part of to date. To have the opportunity to work with individuals who have been involved at the top level of cricket from a coaching, managerial and psychology perspective was extremely insightful. Additionally, having the opportunity to connect with fellow individuals working within the women's game to share best practice, different experiences and help each other develop our leadership skills within our own environments.”
Ellie Threlkeld [Lancashire Thunder Captain] said: “My experience of the female leadership weekend was absolutely brilliant. It was amazing to see so many females empowering one another to succeed in their relevant leadership roles. The opportunity to learn from so many people across different roles and contexts was fantastic and can be applied to both work and other areas of life.”
With a strong network of peers, mentors, and leadership developers now in place, the impact of this program will continue to be felt across the cricketing landscape as participants step up and shape the future of the game.