Any mum with sons or daughters who play cricket would have spent endless Saturdays on the sideline cheering and supporting and possibly even score keeping.
One Auckland club saw a gap in the cricketing market to get mums off the sideline and into the action. As a result, Grafton United Cricket Club has been given a big pat on the back from New Zealand Cricket, winning the 2009/10 Best Women’s Cricket Initiative development award – for the second season in a row.
The club conceptualised and ran a four week Women’s Quick Six module to engage non-cricket women into playing the game in a friendly and social environment. The module taught the basic skills and in turn secured a following of a large group of women interested in making new friends and having a good time.
Grafton United spokesperson Gill Gregory said there isn’t a lot for women, especially those who are beginners in cricket, and so that is where the idea came from for their latest initiative. “It was also a follow on from last season’s festival days for beginner women. We were aware of who was trying to get involved so we found times and a format that would fit mums,” she said.
She said initially it was difficult to get mothers involved as playing sport comes behind other priorities such as their families. However the club were able to get a solid core of players enthusiastic in learning and meeting new friends. “The whole thing is aimed at being fun and social and everyone can come along,” Gregory said. “We use a soft ball and don’t have to use pads. The rules are relaxed and everyone gets a go. It’s great fun on a lovely summer evening.”
Even though the initiative is targeted at women, it seems it is attracting those of the opposite sex as well. “We get lots of fathers, husbands and partners down supporting on the sideline!” She laughed. “Some even get in and umpire for us which is great. Hopefully we can get daughters involved too.”
Ultimately the goal is to start women off in a casual environment then encourage them to play to higher levels. Presently only approximately 1100 adult women play cricket and Gregory is hopeful the players will step up to the next level. “Although it is very social, those who want to get more serious with cricket can go and play up at club level. But this is a good way for them to get involved.”
Sara McGlashan New Zealand Cricket National Women’s Development Officer applauds Grafton United’s initiative. “Any initiative to get women off the sideline and into the action has got to be a good thing,” McGlashan said. “Grafton United have come up with an original and exciting idea to get more women involved in the game which can be easily picked up and adapted by other clubs.
“Grafton have showed true initiative and in turn have been rewarded. Well done.”
