‘Future is exciting’
ESSEX NAMED ONE OF COUNTY’S TO SECURE TIER ONE WOMEN’S SIDE
PRISHA Bedi is excited for the future women’s sports. The club are aiming at Essex Cricket after their successful to revolutionise the landscape of bid to form a Tier One professional women’s cricket under the unifying women’s team from the 2025 seamantra of ‘We Are Essex.’ son. With a rich history of cultivating
The England and Wales Cricket inspiring role models, cricket in Board (ECB) ratified the decision Essex has consistently served as a last Wednesday and Essex join Durpowerful force for good within the ham, Hampshire, Lancashire, Notregion. tinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, and Now, with the awarding of a Tier Warwickshire in being granted a One professional women’s team, professional women’s team. Essex are poised to deepen these
The county’s bid centred on comconnections, serving as a catalyst for munity engagement and empowerchange, breaking down barriers, and ing women and girls to become the empowering the next generation of future of the game. female cricketers.
At the core of Essex’s professional The bid advances with a vision to women’s team lies a robust partnerestablish The Cloud County Ground ship with the University of Essex and and the wider region as the premier the neighbouring professional destination in England for women sports club, the Essex Rebels, and girls’ sports, with cricket serving renowned for their excellence in as its cornerstone. basketball and volleyball at the And county’s Women’s young national level. player of the year Bedi said: “This is
This collaborative effort undera watershed moment for sport in our scores the shared aspirations of all region, and Essex being awarded parties to celebrate the region and this status will hugely benefit my contribute to the transformation of generation of players.
“The commitment by the ECB to women and girls’ sport is special, but for Essex to now be a Tier One county makes me so excited for what comes next.”
John Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer at Essex Cricket, said: “We are thrilled by the opportunity to host a Tier One side, and we thank the ECB for embracing our submission.
“We are a club that has always aimed to empower and promote women and girls, and we now have a once in a generation opportunity to transform female sport in the region.
“The bid encompassed the support of many key organisations and partnerships, including the University of Essex and the cricket boards of Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.
“Their support was instrumental in bringing our submission to life and it’s an exciting time for us all.
“Now, with the awarding of Tier One status, we are focused on making a big impact on the growth of women’s cricket in the UK and look forward to working together with all of our stakeholders to achieve the aims we set out.”
Dr Dave Parry, Director of Sport at the University of Essex, added, “The award of a Tier One professional women’s cricket team to Essex is a hugely exciting and significant moment.
“The University of Essex is a leading academic institution for sports science research and has an established reputation for promoting women’s sport.
“We are determined that through our expertise in sports science and athletic training, as well as the collaboration with our elite-level Essex Rebels basketball and volleyball teams, we will enhance women’s cricket both on and off the pitch, bringing a new audience of fans to the women’s game.
“Our aim is to establish the leading region in the country for women’s sport, and we can’t wait to get started on that mission.”