One of Cork County Cricket Club’s goals for the 2017 season is to develop a girl’s/ladies section by creating a welcoming environment where girls can play and socialise at the Mardyke. In order to kick start this process we are reaching out to our existing and non members to ascertain the following as well as make some commitments to you:
1. Is there demand and Are there enough girls/ladies who want to play?
This is key for us as a club. We need a critical core group of players to set up a section for girls/ladies, so this is a key consideration for us ahead of the season.
2. Marketing
While we may get a core group of players it’s also vital that we get additional support and player numbers. We do this by marketing and primarily this is done via the network of parents at the clubs as well as at schools where Cork county are actively engaged in Cricket Ireland development programmes with links to multiple primary schools in the area. We will make sure our club is represented positively in schools and that girls know cricket is a genuine option for them.
3. First impressions count
We’re all affected by first impressions so we want to make sure what we’re offering lives up to your expectations, which is why your Opinion Counts. Let us know what you want from cricket and what you want in training sessions. We want all our members to feel engaged and have ownership in the club. We also want to make sure that those who engage with this process can feel proud of having helped develop our girls/ladies section themselves.
4. Parents
You all have a part to play. As a father of a 6 year old daughter I know that cricket is not just a sport for boys, but most of our Mums and Dad’s who have kids at the club won’t have played cricket. However as many of you know, if you talk to members we are all prepared to spend time explaining the many benefits cricket offers. This is key to change assumptions.
5. Development
As far as we are aware we are the only club in Munster looking at setting up a girls/ladies section so game time will be limited this season. However, if we get a critical mass of players we do have extensive contacts in Leinster to be able to organise games as we look to get our first season underway.
Next Steps
Email me at johnsimon381@gmail.com to indicate that either you or your child would be interested in cricket this season. Following this we will hope to get a session at the club with Irish women’s international Ciara Metcalfe, who is available to offer up some time to try help promote women’s cricket in Munster, while also organising structured training sessions.
Has a ladies team beeb set up?