The Barbados Royals Women’s franchise has come on board with the first ever all girls cricket club.
Originally named the Barbados Girls’ Cricket Club, it will now be known as the Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club.
The Royals, in collaboration with charity Bat for a Chance, will be launching the grassroots development initiative in women’s cricket next month.
Training sessions will be taking place at the Passage Road Playing Field from December 8, and the club, which will be free to attend, aims to empower young girls between the ages of six and 14 as well as encourage them to take up the sport.
West Indies and Barbados Royals Captain Hayley Matthews gave her support to the project.
“As a proud Barbadian and a cricket enthusiast, I am excited to see the launch of the Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club. It’s more than cricket; it’s about empowering the next generation of girls. I fully support this initiative and look forward to visiting the project.”
Barbados Royals Chief Executive Officer, Jake Lush McCrum, explained why they got involved.
“During the WCPL season, we had some insightful conversations with our captain Hayley Matthews, who shared how passionate she is about promoting women’s cricket in the region, while also highlighting the need to bring in more girls into the game,” he said.
“At the Royals, one of our core focuses is to encourage inclusivity through participation among young girls, and this project will have a significant impact in that area. We are excited to be partnering with Bat for a Chance for this sustainable cricket project which will be giving an opportunity to more girls within Barbados to develop both on and off the cricket field.”
The initiative comes on the back of The Royals conducting the Barbados Royals Cricket Cup for Girls and Boys ahead of the 2023 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) seasons, in order to accelerate the overall development of the talented girls in Barbados.
The club has outlined three key objectives to be achieved in its first year: empowerment of 100 girls ages 8 to 16 through cricket; promoting physical fitness, teamwork and empowerment; and fostering leadership, confidence and inclusion.
Founder of the Bat For A Chance, Will Gaffney, expressed the organisation’s dedication to using the game for societal good.
“At Bat For a Chance, we believe that empowering young girls through cricket is more than just a game; it’s a journey. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to creating opportunities and breaking down barriers, which is what Bat For A Chance is all about.”
The club will offer a wide range of activities for girls, including weekly cricket training, friendly matches and tournaments, leadership and empowerment workshops, community outreach programs, and creating a hub and social location for girls in the community.
It will cater to four age groups: six to eight years old, eight to ten years old, ten to 12 years old and 12 to 14 years old. When players reach 14, the aim is to get those talented players into the Barbados Cricket Association’s programmes so they can have a career in cricket if they wish. (JC)
