Shining the Light.
The County's Walking Cricket team feel so strongly that women should be represented in every mixed side, that they are point blank refusing to play other county teams unless this is the case. Walking Cricket is on the up. Since 2019, teams have sprung up in Barnsley, Sheffield, Wakefield, Doncaster and Rotherham and the sport is growing all the time. Most of those who participate are retired or semi-retired and the eldest player is currently 93! Walking Cricket works in partnership with the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation to make cricket accessible to older people and those with disabilities.
"When trying to arrange County matches, I have found that other counties have a very poor attitude to women players, so I've issued an ultimatum to interested counties, that Yorkshire will only play teams where women are fairly represented on the team's line-up" - Mac McKechnie, Manager, Yorkshire Walking Cricket team
Walking Cricket changes lives. Lynn Maloney suffered gruelling cancer treatment and a dark period in her life. As she came out of it, she knew she needed to get fit and try something new. Mac McKechnie was just starting Barnsley U3A Mixed Walking Cricket at the time, and after some encouragement from her 11 year old grandson, Lynn took the plunge, joined, and has never looked back
“Depression is a real danger after the shock of cancer, but being with other people and joining in with the game has helped to keep that at bay."
To find out more about how to get involved with walking cricket, contact Mac McKechnie at mckechnie31@btinternet.com.
Or you can find out more about where Walking Cricket is currently taking place, by going to the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation website.
Story by Katie Stewart
k.stewart@yorkshirecb.com
@katieycb
Please contact Katie with your stories!