Thanks to Strategic Leisure for their support
There has been a huge growth in Women & Girls cricket in Shropshire in recent years – and this was reflected at the Presentation Night held at the Telford Golf & Country Club.
There were eight special awards up for grabs – and Cricket Shropshire was delighted to welcome Rachel Fowler from Strategic Leisure along on the night to present them.
Rachel from Strategic Leisure has been a big supporter of Cricket Shropshire during the past two years, despite the global pandemic.
She first sponsored our Strategic Leisure Shropshire Women’s Hundred competition and then backed our new regional Women’s Softball Super 10s competition in 2021.
Cricket Shropshire Lead Officer Steve Reese said: “Huge thanks to Rachel and Strategic Leisure for their support for the game in the county over the past two years.
“Her backing has enabled us to launch two competitions in Shropshire as the Women & Girls game continues to grow at an exciting rate.
"Strategic Leisure's motto is “Making your vision a reality” – which is effectively what Rachel has done for us as without her support we wouldn’t have been able to deliver our full programme of Women & Girls' activities."
Bridgnorth-based Strategic Leisure was founded in 1988 and is one of the most-established specialist sport, physical activity and leisure consultancy practices in the UK.
It has more than 30 years' experience of working in the UK and international leisure industry across the voluntary, public and commercial sectors.
Women’s Softball Up and Coming Club of the Year – Willey CC
This summer saw nine new clubs in Shropshire getting involved in women’s softball cricket through Taster Sessions provided by the Board.
Many clubs are facing the fallout from the pandemic with reduced member numbers across both male and junior players.
Willey also faced setbacks before they even started this summer as a result of the Great British weather with their scheduled taster session being cancelled three times.
Despite this, we finally managed to host the session with nearly thirty ladies attending – the most of all the taster sessions. The ladies have continued the success of the taster session with more female members now being involved at training and entering multiple festivals throughout the summer.
We hope their numbers continue to soar and the club thrive as a result.
Women’s Softball Trailblazers East – Newport CC
The rise in women’s softball teams meant we had to split the county in two regions, to reduce travel and ensure all the teams had the opportunity to get involved.
Newport, the trailblazers in the East, hosted a taster session during the post lockdown Summer in 2020 with twenty ladies gaining a taste for the game.
Since then, the club have entered multiple teams into all of the softball festivals this season, even hosting their own for the first time this year.
The club committee have also described women’s softball as one of the best things to happen to the club in its long history – a fantastic outlook which stands the club in good stead for the future.
Women’s Softball Trailblazers East – Ellesmere CC
Ellesmere have seen a resurgence in their numbers in recent years.
They have really embraced the new formats we have introduced including the 10-a-aside league, entering multiple teams in festivals throughout the summer and continuing into the indoor leagues during the Autumn and Winter.
The ladies’ enthusiasm to improve and learn from each other is key to their success as they continue to engage new members, matching if not exceeding the club’s male membership.
Women & Girls Club of the Year – Pontesbury CC
Pontesbury have excelled in their offer, working hard to get women and girls involved in their softball offer.
The women’s softball team have come into their own, entering multiple teams into festivals alongside the 10-a-side league and indoor leagues.
This is further supported by the increased integration into the club – the ladies now have their own sub-committee which cements the importance of female involvement providing an exceptional example to other clubs across the county.
This is something the club’s girls have also benefitted from, entering multiple teams in to the girls’ softball festivals this summer and playing host to the final of the Lady Taverners festival.
The girls share the same enthusiasm and excitement for cricket as the ladies which is great to see and puts this club in a great position for the future.
Women’s Softball Club of the Year – Albrighton CC
Albrighton’s softball journey began back in 2018 when the club hosted a taster session which attracted around 20 ladies.
Since then, their numbers have grown year on year so there are more than forty ladies now involved.
The ladies train twice a week, entering multiple teams in festivals and playing host on numerous occasions over the years.
They have entered multiple teams in the 10-a-side and indoor leagues throughout the year. The ladies support the club volunteering at events, which is reciprocated though the team’s integration within the club, providing an ideal atmosphere for women’s softball to thrive.
Women’s Hardball Club of the Year – Wellington CC
Wellington have continued to perform on the hardball stage over a number of years. Progressing young girls through their own club pathway to play key roles within the hardball ladies’ team.
The team captain works hard to ensure the women and girls have the opportunity to play hardball cricket leading the team to play high level competitive cricket whilst supporting their development as a team and individual players.
Women’s Softball Team of the Year – Beacon Belles
Starting their softball journey back in 2018 with a core group of ladies, the club has come to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to women’s softball.
They have entered multiple teams across all of the festivals this season as well as hosting two of their own.
They were also the winners of the West 10-a-side league. and had a strong contingent of players in the Regional Super 10s competition we ran for the first time this year in preparation for launching a Shropshire representative side in the near future.
They have also entered two teams in the indoor league who have already played some close competitive matches in the first few weeks of the competition.
Beacon Belles were not able to attend on the night – we'll make a presentation to them at a later date.
Women’s Hardball Team of the Year – St Georges CC
This club have won the women and girls club hardball league on six occasions since it began back in 2013.
The team work hard involving both ladies and girls within the team, proving to be strong competitors.
They continue to perform at a high standard year on year in all formats, including their recent entry in to the West Midlands Women’s League Super 8s competition as the next venture.
Look out for lots more Presentation Night coverage still to come this week.
Pictures courtesy of Brian Clarke at Kidz in Focus, email brian.clarke@kidzinfocus.co.uk