Nine held at clubs around the county
Since the start of the season, Cricket Shropshire has been running a series of Women's Softball Taster sessions at clubs around the county.
These sessions were arranged at the request of the clubs involved.
There has been a huge growth in the number of clubs playing Women's Softball Cricket following on from the introduction of special festivals back in 2017.
The inclusion of the odd glass of Prosecco along the way may have helped!
Cricket Shropshire arranged and delivered a total of nine Women’s Softball Taster Sessions. The weather held us back on two occasions, but sessions were still able to be delivered at all of the clubs that initially expressed an interest.
Sessions took place across the county starting at Acton Reynald CC followed by Ludlow CC, Whitchurch CC, Frankton CC, Alveley CC, Church Stretton CC, Bomere Heath and finally Willey CC.
Unfortunately, the weather got the better of us for our scheduled session at Woore CC. However, they still managed to get some sessions up and running thanks to Women and Girl’s Director, Trudie Bloor.
We are still hoping to arrange a session with Norton-in-Hales.
Women & Girls Administration Assistant Maisie Rushton said: "The sessions involve a crash course in everything cricket.
"Starting with fielding, followed by a basic overview of bowling and batting. The sessions are concluded with a run through of the festival games, where players bat in pairs for two overs. The session is drawn to a close with a glass of Prosecco."
Since the initial taster sessions, clubs have been able to run weekly Women’s Softball sessions for the ladies.
Acton Reynald hosted the first Festival involving three clubs who received taster sessions. This included: Acton Reynald Ladies, Frankton Ladies and Bomere Heath Belles.
Maisie added: "All of the ladies involved across the different clubs really enjoyed the sessions and were keen to continue, expressing their support for the club, explaining they felt welcome and are looking forward to cricket sessions in the future."
The taster sessions were rounded off in perfect style at Willey CC as part of Women’s Big Cricket Month.
A total of 28 ladies attended the session at Willey CC, all keen to get involved despite the session being rearranged for the fourth time due to May’s poor weather. The club are really keen to support the ladies and welcome them into their club.
A Willey committee member said: “Our first session of Women’s Softball was a roaring success. After bad weather delayed the first session for a few weeks, we finally got going and for a club of our stature to have 28 ladies attend our first week was a brilliant result.
"What made it even better was the engagement in the session and fun you could see everyone having on the night.
"There were those who came to try something a little different, get themselves out of the house and improve their mental health and well-being with some physical activity, and others who attended because they wanted to take part in some competitive sport that would meet their needs.
"The session catered for everyone and has brought us closer to our local community, raising the profile of the club with most not knowing we even existed or that they would enjoy softball cricket so much.
"Then, there was Prosecco to finish off the night, giving the opportunity for a bit of a refreshment and socialising.
"A big thank you goes to Katie and the staff at the SCB for their time and support in getting us underway. A great result all round.”