Blackfinch Property Investment in Women's and Girl's Cricket has BIG Impact

8 Mar 2024   |   By Richard Cox

Herefordshire Cricket is delighted to announce the success the first year of its partnership (3 Year Agreement) with Blackfinch Property thanks to the year one investment into the County Age Group programmes. During the year, the girls age group teams have seen 42 new girls enter the Herefordshire County Cricket programmes and receive coaching and match play throughout the Winter and Summer periods. This is an incredible growth spurt from 2023 when the programme was barely into double figures at times. The girls even competed in the nearby Malvern Festival in July and won all their games with the odd Worcestershire player sprinkled in to add balance to the team.

Furthermore, this focus on the female game has resulted in a Winter Indoor League for Womens and Girls at Cricket Clubs. Held over January and February the league has recently been completed with Kington Comets coming out on top. The level of play has increased week on week and the enthusiasm is through the roof. Over the coming weeks Herefordshire Cricket will roll out a brand-new Summer League with 8 clubs seeking to enter the programme. Last year there were zero clubs playing competitive Womens and Girls League Cricket.

Speaking on International Women's Day,  Richard Cox said ‘ we are delighted with the engagement of the clubs and all of the players in both the county programme and the domestic league. It’s a significant growth area for us and we must pay tribute to all those who have committed to the game. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Blackfinch Property for their pump priming investment into the county age group programmes (male and female) but specifically in the female game much credit must go to Cricket Development Officer Pete Game and Board Director Sue Watkins for their time, knowledge,and drive in getting round the county to give this such an uplift.

Commenting on the venture Blackfinch Property’s Nicola Mayes, Senior Investment Manager, said “Blackfinch Property is thrilled to see the remarkable progress made in women’s and girls’ cricket programs through our partnership with Herefordshire Cricket. Our support goes beyond just funds - it’s about championing equality in sports. The growth in participation and the success at events like the Malvern Festival show the incredible potential that support can unlock. On International Women’s Day, we’re excited to celebrate these achievements and the impact of our collaboration. Looking ahead, we remain committed to advancing cricket for everyone, and encouraging more women and girls to take up this wonderful sport.”

ENDS