These awards 鈥� new for 2026 鈥� shine a spotlight on the incredible impact of recreational cricket, celebrating the outstanding contributions of colleagues across the game who make a real difference in their communities
The winners will be unveiled at an awards evening on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
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LEADING CHANGE
Category description: An individual in a leadership role who has led significant change within their organisation. A leader who has created more leaders and empowered teams to deliver a step change.
Nick Pinhol, Oxfordshire Cricket
Nick Pinhol has transformed recreational cricket through the creation of the Future Leaders Academy (FLA), a groundbreaking programme designed from scratch to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and qualifications to become the next generation of cricket leaders. In its first year, the FLA engaged 187 participants from 43 clubs and 58 schools, delivering 1,999 volunteer hours that strengthened operational capacity across Oxfordshire. Over 120 practical qualifications in coaching, safeguarding, umpiring, and more have boosted club capability and reduced workforce pressures.
Inclusion is central to Nick鈥檚 vision: 30% of the inaugural cohort were female, addressing long-standing gender gaps in cricket leadership. Beyond technical skills, the FLA nurtures holistic wellbeing: 94% of participants improved leadership and communication skills, and 88% reported mental health benefits.
Nick鈥檚 innovative model includes a unique partnership with the University of Oxford, giving 13鈥�18-year-olds access to world-class leadership modules on ethics, values, and courageous communication. Additional collaborations with universities, architects, psychologists, and media professionals showcase leadership beyond the pitch, creating a diverse talent pipeline.
Free to access and nationally recognised, the FLA is now being replicated elsewhere. Nick鈥檚 vision and relentless commitment have redefined youth leadership in cricket, building not just better volunteers, but confident, ethical leaders for the future.
Fidelis Navas, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation
Since joining Warwickshire Cricket Foundation as Director in September 2023, Fidelis has led a bold cultural and organisational transformation. She oversaw the complex merger of two entities, the Cricket Board and The Edgbaston Foundation, while ensuring business-as-usual thrived. Under her leadership, the Foundation is on track for a 50% funding increase by 2026, growing from 拢1m to over 拢2m and expanding the team from 26 to 35 colleagues. Fidelis spearheaded the #CricketWithoutLimits strategy (2025鈥�2029), implemented a future-ready structure, and secured 鈥淩eady to Invest鈥� status, positioning Warwickshire as Lead County for EDI and Anti-Discrimination.
Fidelis has redefined the Foundation鈥檚 role from a niche sports provider to a key youth work agency, advancing the ethos of 鈥淧eople, not Players.鈥� Initiatives such as youth work training and relationship-building with casual staff have boosted participant feedback and staff retention. Her partnership approach has delivered extraordinary impact, working with Sathi House to train 34 Asian Women Sports Leaders, engaging over 50 teenage girls in cricket and creating a sustainable workforce.
Beyond organisational growth, Fidelis champions inclusion as Exec Sponsor for EDI and Co-Chair of the Social Mobility Network. Her resilience, strategic vision, and commitment to community empowerment have positioned Warwickshire Cricket Foundation as a trusted, transformative force.
Namita Patel, Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Foundation
When Namita Patel joined Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket Club in 2022 as EDI Director, her mission was clear: build trust, belonging, and equality. Within months, she accepted an even greater challenge from the 春梦直播. transform the Community Pillar into a fully independent charity. In less than two years, Namita achieved this, turning a struggling, undervalued function into a thriving, values-driven organisation.
Namita inherited a challenging environment with low morale and just seven staff. Today, the Foundation boasts 15 empowered employees, a high-performing Board, and a culture rooted in purpose and inclusion. She led the transition to Charity Commission status as a cultural reset, introducing robust governance, transparent finance, and modern performance frameworks. Her leadership rebuilt community trust through humility and bold listening, launched a new brand and website, and delivered an ambitious four-year strategy: This is Our Game, This is My Game.
One of only two female Managing Directors in the recreational game at the time, Namita navigated discrimination with authenticity and dignity. Her impact extends beyond cricket: she is listed in the 2025 Kindness & Leadership, 50 Leading Lights UK. Namita鈥檚 rare blend of compassion, strategic vision, and resilience has redefined leadership in sport, placing EDI at its heart.
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RISING STAR
Category description: Recognising a member of the executive team who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, to deliver outstanding outcomes for their organisation, partners and people.鈥疭omeone who may be behind the scenes but plays an instrumental role in the organisations ability to execute key parts of their plan.
Victoria Jones, Cricket Wales
Victoria Jones has quickly become one of Cricket Wales鈥� most impressive emerging leaders. As Facilities Investment Lead, she has driven one of the most ambitious periods of development in the organisation鈥檚 history. Between 2023 and 2025, Victoria played a pivotal role in delivering an unprecedented 拢6.25 million investment, a fivefold increase on previous years, transforming cricket infrastructure across Wales. Her leadership has delivered 13 new or refurbished outdoor practice facilities, 10 non-turf pitches, and 17 climate resilience projects, alongside flagship developments such as the inclusive pavilion at Gwersyllt Park, the 拢750,000 Torfaen facility, and the 拢11 million Swansea redevelopment.
Victoria鈥檚 ability to forge strategic partnerships, including with the University of South Wales, has maximised impact for clubs and communities. She has built her own team, appointing two Club Development Partners, and championed sustainability through 拢600,000 in renewable energy projects and the introduction of Pitch Power digital audits. Committed to inclusivity, Victoria has worked tirelessly to create equal opportunities for women and girls, challenging culture and influencing policy.
Combining technical expertise, strategic vision, and authentic leadership, Victoria has delivered results of remarkable scale and significance. Calm, collaborative, and solution-focused, she is shaping the future of cricket in Wales and is truly deserving of recognition as a Rising Star.
Charlie Storr, Derbyshire Cricket Foundation
Charlie Storr has been the driving force behind the transformational growth of Women鈥檚 and Girls鈥� cricket in Derbyshire. For five years, Charlie has led the county鈥檚 strategy with passion and purpose, delivering exceptional results that have positioned Derbyshire as a national leader in female cricket development.
Under Charlie鈥檚 leadership, the number of clubs with women鈥檚 teams has soared to 63 clubs and 93 teams, a 547% increase since 2021. Girls鈥� cricket has seen similar success, with 39 clubs and 67 teams compared to just 10 clubs in 2021. Participation has flourished: 670 women played in softball festivals in 2025, up 136%, and 33% of National Programme participants are now girls. Charlie has also trained 156 female coaches and 149 activators, created South Asian women鈥檚 teams, and introduced a dedicated girls鈥� playing day in the Derbyshire Junior League, resulting in 261 fixtures scheduled in 2025, 305% up on 2024.
Charlie鈥檚 collaborative, inclusive approach has broken barriers, improved facilities through 拢68,000 in grants, and launched initiatives like the Women鈥檚 Cricket Conference and the East Midlands Women鈥檚 League, now one of the largest in the country. His energy, vision, and commitment have built a thriving, sustainable Women鈥檚 and Girls鈥� game, making Charlie a true Rising Star.
Chloe Leveridge, Surrey Cricket
Chloe Leveridge鈥檚 10-year journey from casual community coach to the youngest member of the Surrey Cricket Foundation leadership team is nothing short of extraordinary. Her rapid progression reflects unmatched dedication, strategic vision, and transformational impact across recreational cricket.
Starting in Suffolk in 2015, Chloe made an immediate mark, winning Chance to Shine Coach of the Year in her first year. She went on to pioneer women鈥檚 softball festivals in Norfolk, initiatives that still thrive today, before moving to Essex in 2020, where she rose swiftly to Head of Youth Engagement. There, Chloe restructured the Youth Strategy, delivered record participation numbers, championed diversity, and mentored female role models, exemplified by Jusnara Khanom鈥檚 national recognition in 2025.
Since joining Surrey Cricket Foundation鈥檚 leadership team just six months ago, Chloe has driven major improvements: streamlining coach allocation for efficiency and cost savings, generating over 拢10,000 in new revenue through a paid schools offer, and integrating Surrey Schools Cricket Association competitions. Her inclusivity focus led to a scouting network ensuring state-educated children access Surrey CCC pathways.
Chloe鈥檚 energy, innovation, and collaborative leadership inspire everyone around her. She is redefining what leadership in cricket looks like, making the game more accessible, representative, and sustainable. A true Rising Star.
Steve Lightfoot, Staffordshire Cricket
Officially 鈥榩art-time鈥�, Steve Lightfoot dedicates countless hours to making Staffordshire鈥檚 Ability Cricket programme one of the most inclusive and impactful in the country. As Head of Ability, Steve has transformed opportunities for players with learning, physical, hearing, and visual disabilities, delivering what is now the Super 1s programme even before a formal partnership with Lord鈥檚 Taverners.
Steve ensures SEN cricket thrives in both specialist and mainstream schools, creating pathways from grassroots to representative level across three county teams. His leadership has built a network of champion hub clubs and performance teams that mirror the professionalism of mainstream squads. Under his guidance, the LD/PD County team, the Super 9s Spitfires, recently won the prestigious Hugh Leigh Award.
Beyond cricket, Steve champions inclusion through employability workshops, helping players develop confidence and life skills. His impact is deeply personal, Ability cricketer Sebbie Hall dedicated his national Tavs/Berkeley Foundation award to Steve, a testament to his care and commitment.
In the past year alone, Steve has delivered 7 Table Cricket festivals (425 participants), 13 SEN Softball festivals (552 participants), supported 19 Walking Cricket groups, and led performance teams to national success. Humble yet exceptional, Steve Lightfoot is redefining what inclusive cricket looks like.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Category description: This award recognises the need to work with other stakeholders to deliver meaningful change across communities.鈥疶his may reflect excellent cross-border working delivered by numerous RCBs, or work with external partners to deliver community impact.
Oxfordshire Cricket
Oxfordshire Cricket鈥檚 Future Leaders Academy (FLA) exemplifies partnership working at its best, creating a transformational leadership pathway for young people through exceptional multi-sector collaboration. At its heart is a unique partnership with the University of Oxford, whose Programme for Global Leadership delivers world-class modules on ethical leadership, values-based decision making, and courageous communication, giving teenagers access to learning experiences normally reserved for senior professionals.
In its first year, the FLA engaged 187 young people from 43 clubs and 58 schools, generating 1,999 volunteer hours and over 120 practical qualifications in coaching, safeguarding, and more. These outcomes strengthen club capacity while shaping confident, resilient young leaders. Parental feedback confirms 94% improved leadership skills and 88% reported mental health benefits.
The FLA鈥檚 ecosystem of partners, including Oxford Brookes University, nutritionists, psychologists, media professionals, and GCP Chartered Architects, delivers specialist modules spanning sports science, wellbeing, communication, and facilities planning. This multi-disciplinary approach broadens horizons and connects cricket to wider community systems.
Free and inclusive, the FLA combines academic excellence with real-world experience, inspiring young people to lead with character and purpose. This partnership-driven programme is reshaping the future of cricket and stands as a national benchmark for collaboration and impact.
Sussex Cricket Foundation
In 2025, Sussex Cricket Foundation delivered one of the most ambitious and impactful disability cricket programmes in county cricket history. Anchored by its flagship DIScoverABILITY Day and two pioneering competitions, the Disability T10 Cup and the inaugural Disability Hundred, Sussex has redefined what disability cricket can look and feel like.
The Disability T10 Cup, staged at the 1st Central County Ground, brought together four D40 squads (Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Essex) for a professional-standard tournament featuring elite performance, live broadcast, commentary, and media coverage. Players described the experience as 鈥渓ife-changing鈥� and 鈥渉istoric,鈥� reflecting the event鈥檚 athlete-centred approach. Later, the Disability Hundred at Arundel Castle extended innovation with a fresh format during the Rathbones Festival of Cricket.
These achievements were powered by deep partnerships with the 春梦直播, Lord鈥檚 Taverners, sponsors, schools, charities, and over 150 volunteers. DIScoverABILITY Day welcomed 750 participants with SEND, supported by ParalympicsGB, Sight Support Worthing, GB Wheelchair Cricket, and morem creating an inclusive, inspiring environment.
With over 5,000 online viewers, professional facilities, and growing participation, Sussex has elevated disability cricket from an add-on to a celebrated, visible part of its identity. This programme exemplifies vision, collaboration, and innovation, setting a national benchmark for inclusive sport.
East Midlands Counties
Trent Bridge Community Trust (Nottinghamshire), Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, Steelbacks Foundation (Northamptonshire), Lincolnshire Cricket and Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Foundation
The East Midlands Lead Officers have demonstrated how true collaboration can transform cricket. What began as a commitment to mutual support has evolved into a powerful regional partnership, delivering outcomes far beyond what any county could achieve alone. Built on trust, openness, and shared ambition, this model has strengthened the game at every level.
During COVID-19, weekly cross-county calls provided connection and resilience, laying the foundation for future success. Since then, the partnership has delivered major projects, most notably the growth of the East Midlands Women鈥檚 Cricket League (EMWCL). From 21 teams in 2019 to 177 teams in 2025, with projections of 211 by 2026, this expansion was supported by joint funding for a league administrator and shared governance structures, creating sustainable opportunities for women鈥檚 cricket.
Collaboration has extended to workforce development, including a regional staff conference for 60+ colleagues, shared recruitment, secondments, and best-practice workshops. Competitive opportunities have expanded through inter-county festivals, regional finals, and inclusive programmes like ACE Academies. Joint efforts also strengthen talent pathways via Blaze partnerships and shared EPP delivery.
This partnership exemplifies collective leadership, delivering more players, better experiences, and stronger pathways through shared vision and practical action. A true model of collaboration in cricket.
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INNOVATION
Category description: This award recognises those who think differently.鈥� Celebrating different ways of delivering outcomes that deliver meaningful organisation or community impact.鈥� This may be an event, a programme, project, or evidence of new ways of working that have led to enhanced outcomes.
Cricket Wales
The Cricket Wales Pilot Sustainability Project demonstrates the powerful impact of clear planning and expert support. Starting with four clubs in Torfaen, each received a full on-site energy audit covering heating, lighting, insulation, and overall efficiency, alongside a review of 12 months of energy bills to calculate carbon footprints. The baseline was 62.95 tonnes of CO鈧俥 annually across the four clubs.
With targeted improvements and investment guided by bespoke action plans, these clubs achieved a 22-tonne annual reduction in CO鈧俥 and cut energy costs by 拢25,102 per year, a game-changing saving for community cricket. The success of this pilot has inspired wider action: 15 additional energy audits have been commissioned for clubs with the largest memberships, with similar savings expected.
Cricket Wales鈥� ambition is clear: by 2027, every club with a building will have completed an energy audit and be working toward net zero. Collaboration with the Welsh Government Decarbonisation Team ensures clubs can access resources, sign the Green Pledge, and receive ongoing guidance.
This project proves meaningful climate action is possible at grassroots level, reducing emissions, lowering costs, and creating a sustainable future for cricket in Wales. The pilot didn鈥檛 just deliver data; it delivered a blueprint for lasting change.
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation
Warwickshire Cricket鈥檚 2025鈥�29 strategy places cricket at the heart of social impact, delivering innovative programmes across seven pillars: workforce, women and girls, access, communities, clubs, schools, and stadium. Following an audit in 2023, the Foundation committed to using cricket as a tool for empowerment while sustaining traditional activities. This vision has attracted significant investment and partnerships, enabling transformative projects.
Highlights include 拢225k Comic Relief funding for a five-year programme tackling violence against women and girls, reaching 1,000 individuals and boosting secondary school engagement. An 拢83k HS2-funded initiative uses cricket to divert young people from anti-social behaviour and the youth justice system. A University of Birmingham Fellowship is creating a toolkit to engage ethnically diverse women in sport, informed by research with 150 participants.
In Druids Heath, one of Birmingham鈥檚 most deprived wards, weekly cricket sessions provide vital youth provision following council cuts. At Edgbaston, an innovative employability week for Year 10 students from disadvantaged backgrounds replaces traditional work experience, with more schools booked for 2026. Health initiatives include prostate testing for 200 men and walking cricket projects targeting high-risk communities, funded by the Bob Willis Fund.
Through bold partnerships and creative programming, Warwickshire Cricket is delivering measurable, life-changing impact, making cricket a force for societal good.
Hampshire Cricket Board
The Serious Cricket Hampshire Junior Championships (SCHJC) has transformed junior cricket by reimagining how the game is delivered across the district. In 2024, SCHJC stepped in to take over from four voluntary organisations struggling to sustain junior cricket. Rather than simply replace them, SCHJC created a collaborative governance model, including representatives from the original districts, blending continuity with fresh ideas.
Key innovations include the introduction of Tier 3 cricket, providing a gentle entry point for beginners and ensuring cricket is accessible to all abilities. A dedicated Competitions Officer, funded through sponsorship and entry fees, has streamlined operations and expanded reach. Cultural change has been embedded through Standards and Expectation Boards and the Seriously Magic Moments scheme, celebrating sportsmanship and respect with monthly awards.
Impact has been significant: team numbers have grown from 524 in 2023 to 605 in 2025, with girls鈥� teams rising from 85 to 114. SCHJC has also linked recreational and professional cricket by inviting teams to the Utilita Bowl for celebration events, creating lasting memories.
By prioritising inclusivity, sustainability, and positive culture, SCHJC has delivered a thriving, innovative junior cricket programme, setting a benchmark for others and truly deserving the Innovation Award.
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OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Category description: This award recognises an organisation that has either delivered exceptionally well across the board.听 Or made huge strides to improving their organisation.鈥� It goes to an RCB that has driven effective and efficient ways of working to deliver meaningful change.
Wiltshire Cricket
2025 has been a landmark year for Wiltshire Cricket Limited, marked by the launch of a bold new 2025鈥�2029 strategy, refreshed vision, mission, and values, and a modern operational planning process. Recognising that previous growth under CPA 1.0 had diluted its core purpose, Wiltshire Cricket used this strategic moment to re-define its identity and embed values of Ambition, Respect, and Fairness, principles that now underpin every decision and action.
The strategy was developed through extensive internal workshops and external consultation, empowering staff and re-energising relationships with stakeholders. This collaborative approach has created a team fully aligned with the strategy and a wider network invested in its success. Crucially, the strategy prioritises cultural change, focusing on stakeholder experience rather than purely quantitative KPIs, success will be measured by what people think, feel, say, and do.
To bring the strategy to life, Wiltshire Cricket launched a high-impact campaign, including professional videos showcasing its six strategic pillars. Operationally, the organisation has introduced Power Apps and Power BI dashboards for real-time tracking, alongside workload audits and a culture action plan to ensure behaviours match values.
Wiltshire Cricket鈥檚 transformation reflects ambition and innovation, building a sustainable, values-driven future that delivers a lifelong love of cricket for all.
Oxfordshire Cricket
Oxfordshire Cricket has transformed its operations through the ambitious implementation of monday.com Work OS, replacing fragmented spreadsheets and manual processes with a unified, transparent, and highly efficient digital framework. This game-changing shift has streamlined workflows, improved accountability, and created real-time visibility across all functions, setting a benchmark for operational excellence in recreational cricket.
The platform now serves as the central hub for the County Board, delivering measurable impact in four key areas:
- Operational Planning: Centralized project timelines, task allocations, and automated reminders have eliminated administrative friction, freeing staff for front-line delivery.
- Club Management: Dynamic dashboards track club health, engagement, and compliance, enabling targeted support and stronger relationships.
- Strategy Tracking: KPIs and strategic objectives are mapped to live dashboards, giving senior leaders instant insight for agile, evidence-based decisions.
- Impact Reporting: Automated dashboards consolidate data into standardized reports, reducing reporting time from days to minutes.
Beyond Oxfordshire, this innovation is shaping national best practice. The team has shared templates, tutorials, and guidance with other County Boards and the 春梦直播, accelerating digital transformation across the game.
This pioneering approach demonstrates how technology can revolutionize community sport, delivering efficiency, transparency, and sustainability for cricket鈥檚 future.
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation
Managing 50 programmes across diverse communities, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (WCF) faced growing challenges in tracking delivery, monitoring targets, and aligning resources with its expanding operations. In February 2025, WCF introduced a monthly performance reporting process built around its seven strategic pillars, creating a simple, accessible system that transformed how the organisation works.
The process uses SharePoint-based templates with Red-Amber-Green status indicators, enabling managers to update reports easily, celebrate successes, highlight upcoming priorities, and openly share challenges. Crucially, WCF fostered a culture where 鈥淩eds鈥� are embraced, not feared, encouraging collaboration to resolve issues quickly.
Benefits have been significant:
- One-team culture: Managers now understand and support programmes beyond their own areas, improving efficiency and collaboration.
- Knowledge sharing: Best practice is exchanged, ensuring county-wide impact.
- Transparency: Up-to-date data supports sponsorship proposals, fundraising reports, and stakeholder engagement.
- Social value measurement: WCF can now demonstrate a 拢6.21 return for every 拢1 invested.
- Integration: Reporting feeds directly into 春梦直播 Smartsheets and operational plans, reducing duplication and saving time.
This innovation has shifted WCF鈥檚 culture to one of accountability, openness, and operational excellence, delivering measurable impact and strengthening its position as a trusted, high-performing charity.
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MOST INCLUSIVE TEAM SPORT AWARD
Category description: This award goes to an organisation that has delivered a step change in equity, diversity, or inclusion.鈥� Breaking down boundaries to enable more people to enjoy the game.
Derbyshire Cricket Foundation
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) has delivered transformational progress in increasing South Asian participation in cricket across Derby, home to two-thirds of the county鈥檚 ethnic diversity and significant socio-economic challenges. Through a systemic, data-driven approach, DCF has tackled barriers head-on, creating sustainable access and opportunity.
Impact highlights include:
- South Asian representation on National Programmes rising to 19% in 2025, exceeding census levels.
- 1,000+ bursaries awarded to support ethnically diverse and LSEG participants.
- Five Chance to Shine Street hubs engaging 150 regular participants (80% ethnically diverse).
- Growth of South Asian women鈥檚 cricket, including three softball teams and a tapeball team competing nationally.
- Restoration of two legacy grounds and 拢100,000 investment in facilities for South Asian clubs.
- Increased workforce diversity: 14% of coaches trained are ethnically diverse, with seven South Asian coaches and two full-time staff.
DCF鈥檚 approach combines strategic investment, community engagement, and workforce development. Initiatives include Clubmark accreditation, bursary funding for coach education, targeted programmes in South Asian wards, and innovative schemes like Kit Out Derbyshire. By listening to communities and aligning objectives across its team, DCF has created a powerful model for inclusion鈥攎aking cricket accessible, representative, and sustainable.
Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Foundation
Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket Foundation (LRCF) launched a Refugee Engagement Initiative, funded by Chance to Shine鈥檚 Designated Funds Programme, to foster inclusivity and well-being through cricket. The project aimed to create welcoming communities where refugees and asylum seekers could experience the joy of cricket, build confidence, and form meaningful social connections.
Partnering with the Leicestershire Virtual School, LRCF engaged a cohort of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), primarily young people from Afghanistan, who expressed a strong interest in cricket. Over six weeks, structured hardball sessions were delivered at Leicester Caribbean Cricket Club, using its high-quality outdoor facilities. Expert coaching by Prajesh and Hanif provided skill development, game awareness, and team-building in a safe, supportive environment.
Fourteen participants demonstrated commitment and rapid progress, culminating in a memorable visit from former Pakistan international Saqlain Mushtaq, who shared insights and specialist spin-bowling tips鈥攁n inspiring experience that left a lasting impact.
Beyond cricket skills, the initiative promoted social inclusion, confidence, and mental well-being, showcasing the sport鈥檚 unique ability to unite communities and create belonging. This programme stands as a powerful example of how cricket can transform lives and support integration for refugees.
Trent Bridge Community Trust, Nottinghamshire
The Girls鈥� Development League (GDL) has transformed how girls鈥� cricket is delivered in Nottinghamshire, creating a flexible, collaborative model that removes barriers and supports sustainable growth. Designed to increase girls鈥� sections, improve transition from softball to hardball, and build a confident female workforce, the GDL rethinks traditional league structures to prioritise inclusion and development.
Consultation with 21 clubs revealed key challenges, limited volunteer capacity, lack of female coaches, and fixture congestion. In response, GDL introduced hybrid formats, 鈥楽cratch鈥� teams for girls from clubs without hardball sections, and combined fixtures with coaching days. Full-day holiday camps and 鈥業ncrediball鈥� transitional divisions have provided safe, supportive environments for new players.
Impact has been remarkable:
- Girls鈥� sections grew from 6 in 2022 to 36 in 2025.
- Teams increased from 10 to 79, including 20 hardball and 19 Incrediball teams.
- 33 additional club teams and 23 Scratch teams participated through this model.
- Over 400 girls attended development days, with 54 extra fixtures delivered in 2025.
- Female workforce development includes 14 coaches, 15 umpires, and 7 scorers trained.
By embedding collaboration, flexible formats, and female role models, the GDL has created a clear pathway for girls, making cricket accessible, aspirational, and sustainable.