Setting up a women’s and/or girls’ section at your club might not be as daunting as you think. Whilst there are slightly different approaches to both sections, all successful clubs are those who create a safe, fun and welcoming atmosphere at the club where individuals can play and socialise. 

Benefits of having girls/women at your club:

• More participants & volunteers 
• Increased income 
• Friendly and welcoming atmosphere 
• People spend more time socialising 
• Shows potential new members how you welcome all 
• Potential sponsorship and wider community engagement

Key areas when developing a girls` section:

Club Buy In:

• Committee approval 
• Inclusive development planning 
• Whole club support  

Planning: 

• Identifying need
• Type of activity 
• Who should be involved
• Awareness of other activities 
• Understanding players and barriers

Attracting Players:

• Marketing 
• Girls` only sessions   
• Flexible delivery  
• Getting the right people involved 
• Incentives of being involved  
• Fun and sociable activity

Retaining Members:

• Welcoming facilities 
• Equal access   
• Quality experiences  
• Competition opportunities  
• Progression for players

In many ways developing a women’s and/or girls’ section is just like supporting existing junior or mixed sections, all you need is some awareness of the slightly different needs and ambitions girls may have. 

You’ve got to think about your legal and safeguarding policies. This includes DBS checks for coaches and volunteers, sticking to ECB ratios of coaches to players (especially when using hard balls) and having permission for photos. Your club safeguarding officer can use the resources available on the ECB website to make sure you’re ticking all the boxes.

Overall, if you’re thinking about setting up a women’s or girls’ section, just start! There are lots of free resources available and volunteers will always step forward if you’ve got a common goal. Also, engage with your County Board. We’re a big cricket family and if you ask, people will help.

For further guidance, the link below will take you to the ECB ‘Toolkit’ on developing a girl’s section:

Developing a girl’s section at your club – ECB Tool Kit – Developing a girl`s section

Case study for setting up a girls’ section from Tunbridge Wells – 

Case Study – Tunbridge Wells CC