by HAYDN GILL

FOR the first time in the history of the Cable & Wireless Under-15 Cricket Competition, a women's team will grace the fields.

The Barbados women's squad will compete in the tournament
to gain valuable match practice ahead of the West Indies Women's Championship
in August.

The move is part of a drive by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) to institute "affirmative action" for women's cricket after the board of management acknowledged there was a definite disparity when compared to the men's game.

While not expecting the team – which will be weakened by the absence of four top players on West Indies duties – to roll over the opposition, chairman of the BCA's women's committee Jeff Broomes expected it to be a development exercise.

"If we are doing anything to develop women's cricket, we have to give them exposure," Broomes told NATIONSPORT.

"Back in the 70s when I was playing in the BCL [Barbados Cricket League], my team used
to play against the Barbados women's team. I see this giving the benefit. We have to take affirmative action to help women's cricket."

Short-term measure

Another reason for the inclusion of the women's team in the Under-15 competition, which is likely to start towards the end of June, is to bridge a shortfall and ensure that each of the three zones will have the same number of teams and will play the same number of matches in the preliminary round.

The move is a short-term measure since by next year it is expected that a Women's League would be on the domestic calendar.

For this tournament, the Barbados team will be without key players for all but the last two matches, as Danielle Small, Chakira Selman, Deandra Dottin, and Charlene Taitt will be heading off with the West Indies team for tours to Ireland, Holland and England from June 22 to July 14.

The Barbados team will be a mixture of youth and experience and are expected to include the seasoned Pam Lavine and ten-year-old Hayley Matthews, the daughter of Pickwick Division 1 player Michael Matthews.

"I don't think the girls will beat anybody, but I think they will compete and they will benefit from the exposure," Broomes said.

"With those four girls out,
it gives an opportunity for some younger ones to get some exposure. Most of our girls are teenagers. I don't think the standard is above Under-15
and I don't think it is far below."

Apart from the participation
of the women's team in this tournament, other immediate measures have been taken to help develop the sport among females.

All clubs and schools will be written to, outlining the BCA's focus on the development
of women's cricket, inviting
them to submit the names
of known and potential cricketers interested in attending practice and developmental sessions
in preparation for the
Women's League.

An individual has also been identified to work for a limited time period on the recruitment and development of women cricketers. This person will interact with schools, clubs and the National Sports Council by way of co-ordinated visits and planned programmes to secure a minimum of 90 players to take part in the league.