Stats paint sad women’s state
Globally, international female cricketers are experiencing bullying and intimidation, given fewer opportunities to forge a career in the sport, play on sub-par facilities, and feel their voices aren’t being heard.
But despite all of that, a global survey has found players want to play more cricket, a report released today from Federation of International Cricketers Association’s (FICA) says.
The Women’s Professional Cricket Global Employment Report found underrepresentation of women on and off the park.
Only 20 per cent of governance boards members within the sport were women, and more than half the players said they feel they do not have a say on issues related to them.
Two-thirds of players feel insecure with their cricket employment, nearly half feel they do not have enough access to mental health support, 25 per cent have felt bullied or intimated by their employer, and 41 per cent say they are playing on sub-par facilities.
Major barriers also stem from limited playing opportunities and funding of the women’s game.
Federation executive chairman Heath Mills from New Zealand said the change needs to be driven by those at the top.
‘‘The ICC needs to provide some leadership ... design a future tours programme and compel all the countries to participate within it,’’ he said.
‘‘The ICC provides countries with significant funding ... there needs to be a global push and requirement for more countries around the world to provide more playing opportunities for their female players.
‘‘We’re not going to have a global female game until more countries commit to putting resources towards it. You can’t build a professional environment for our women to aspire to if they are not playing. They need to prioritise it.’’
Federation director, cricket commentator and former Australian international player Lisa Sthalekar said that while the women’s game is growing in popularity, particularly with the recent T20 World Cup, more investment is required.
‘‘Players, administrators and national boards around the world need to continue to work together and invest heavily in building on this to capitalise on the hard work of those who have laid the platform, create a new normal, and to ensure the women’s game isn’t ever an afterthought,’’ she said in a statement.
‘‘Let’s keep working together to ensure the women’s game uses the platform it has created to go to the next level.’’
Federation chief executive Tom Moffat understands countries have different budgets and priorities when delivering cricket, but says now is the time to ensure female players are being treated equally and fairly.
‘‘As an international sport, we need more countries to be strong and competitive on the world stage to have a really vibrant, and successful game that is also a really good commercial product as well,’’ he said.
Now’s also the time to stop comparing women’s cricket to men’s cricket – they are two separate entities, he said.
‘‘That’s the consistent view from players around the world.
‘‘There are points where it is appropriate to compare the men’s and the women’s game; the employment terms and conditions that players face and the circumstances they are working in are an example of that where it’s relevant,’’ he said.
‘‘But in other areas ... the structure of the game, it’s scheduling, the balance between domestic leagues and international cricket ... certainly the players around the world are open to and would like to see the game evolve in its own way, as its own product.
‘‘ ... it would be a mistake to follow a lot of what the men’s game has done in terms of the way the game is scheduled and structured, there’s a lot of signifiant issues in the men’s game... with no clear global structure underpinning that.
‘‘We want to see a conscious global effort to develop some really clear frameworks ... and we want to make sure the players’ voices are front and centre to that.They need to be listened to.’’