ECB Womens Big Cricket Month
In August 2019, a charity ladies’ soft ball cricket match was played at Park Avenue Cricket Ground in Bradford. The day was such a success, and inspired so many of the participants that within a few days, Bradford Park Avenue Ladies CC (BPALCC) was founded. The club draws it’s membership form a variety of communities and family backgrounds. Almost all have one thing in common – they have been around cricket for most of their lives, supporting partners and children but now have there own opportunity to play.
Kirsty Gavillet, BPALCC Chair explained the clubs goal is to “provide a safe, fun and inclusive place for women and girls to feel comfortable to play, regardless of ability, race, religion or sexual orientation.” 12 months on, the club has a settled structure and playing offer with an ambitious five-year development plan in place. Kirsty also has thoughts on what makes it such a special place to play cricket. “I think it offers something other ladies’ teams don't. Inclusivity and full focus. Most ladies’ teams are part of a men's club who have a women's team. BPAL is a women's club for women. Therefore, we give them our full commitment.”
Currently the club has 47 senior and 27 junior members who can access a variety of coaching and playing options free of charge. These include a 1st XI and Super 8 team playing ‘Hard ball cricket’ and regular social ‘Soft ball’ matches as well as weekly training sessions for all. For juniors, the ECB’s flagship All Stars Cricket programme has given a fantastic first experience of cricket to the club’s girls who now have an eye on playing competitive cricket in the local junior leagues in 2021. But it doesn’t end there as Parveen Malik, the club’s Junior lead explains, “My vision as the Junior Girls Lead is to provide a safe haven for girls up to 15 years, to have fun, make friendships and to feel a sense of belonging through cricket. Alongside this, the 5-year plan is to have an u9/u11/U13s/u15 girls’ team.”
Positive role models improved mental and physical health, lifelong friendships, community engagement, breaking down barriers and negative stereotypes – all delivered by Women for Women & Girls at BPALCC.