Celebrating International Women’s Day in Shropshire
To mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (Saturday), Cricket Shropshire’s Women & Girls Recreational Cricket Officer Katie Rushton has been reflecting on a busy Winter of activity, and a packed programme this Summer.
It all reflects the incredible growth we have seen in Women & Girls’ cricket in Shropshire in recent years, with more players, officials and volunteers now taking part in the game in the county than ever before.
Indoor Leagues
We are well under way with the final softball and hardball indoors league for the 2024/25 season.
The final softball league is taking place at Walford College with ten teams including: Shelton, Condover, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Whittington, Bomere Heath, Wem, Shrewsbury, Frankton and Aston.
There are two divisions with one trialling both pairs and T6 format, while the other remains pairs. This is scheduled to finish at the beginning of April.
In addition, eleven teams are also taking part in the Women’s Hardball League at Wrekin College.
Teams involved are split int two divisions, the county league featuring more experienced hardball players includes: Shifnal, Sentinel, Oswestry, Wellington and Quatt.
The development league features: Pontesbury, Wem, Forton, Shrewsbury, Condover and Shelton.
This is the most teams we have had involved in indoor hardball activity in recent years, which is fantastic to see.
Expression of Interest
We have been seeking expression of interest for all the Women & Girls Summer activity over the last few weeks. We are in the process of collating the responses from clubs and will be announcing dates and details in the coming weeks.
Astro Turf Festival
Both the women and girls’ softball season will kick off with softball festivals played on the Astro Turf at Wrekin College on Sunday 27th April. Further details and confirmation of fixtures will be shared in the coming weeks. We are looking forward to getting the outdoor season underway.
Female Only Umpiring Course
To further support the officiating supporting being offered at part of the indoor leagues we have scheduled a female only umpiring course. Details on the course and the link to book can be found below and via the following link: HERE.
Date: Sunday 13th April
Time: 9.30am-4pm
Venue: Prestfelde Preparatory School, London Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6NZ
Cost: £70 – this includes the course and then a follow-up support session from the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials (SACO).
If anyone has any queries about Women & Girls cricket in Shropshire they can contact Katie via katie.rushton@cricketshropshire.co.uk
Pictured are all the finalists at the Women’s Strategic Leisure Softball East Indoor League held at Wrekin College earlier this year.