Cumbria Cricket’s second wave of Women’s and Girls’ Soft Ball Festivals held throughout the summer has smashed England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) targets! The fun, free and fabulous festivals are an ongoing part of a national ECB scheme to support the growth of Women’s and Girls’ cricket. As part of this, Cumbria hosted over twenty festivals and had 548 number of participants getting involved, smashing its target by 207%!
Bob Simpson, Director of Cumbria Cricket says: “We’re proud that Cumbria is once again playing a significant part in the success of the Soft Ball Festivals. This year nationally the ECB target is to encourage over 25,000 women and girls to take part! And for Cumbria to hit 200%+ says so much about the hard work of clubs, staff, volunteers and most importantly every player who came along and got involved. The feedback has been amazing and we are looking to build on this and look at what we can offer at local cricket clubs. It’s brilliant the demand is there.”
Festivals have successfully run across the county in Arnside, Barrow, Carlisle, Cartmel, Cockermouth, Egremont, Keswick, Millom, Netherfield , Scotby, Temple Sowerby, Ulverston, Whitehaven and Workington. Cumbria Cricket has one again been bowled over by the support and atmosphere.
Laura Marshall, Women and Girls’ Development Officer: “Each club has worked hard to deliver a fantastic festival by stamping its unique personality on their event, some hosting more than one. We are excited at the potential for this new format and delighted that the festivals were the fun and inclusive experience we wanted them to be. We are asking for participants and clubs’ views on what we offer through the winter to keep this momentum.”
Participant Paula Ratcliffe shared: “The Women’s Cricket Softball Festivals provide fantastic opportunities for females, regardless of age or ability to participate in a team sport. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment but naturally every female is there to compete. I would recommend any woman to ‘just have a go’. They will not be sorry they turned up. Although they maybe a little stiff – finding muscles they never knew they had!!!!!”
