Merger is a pathway to success for game
DURHAM Cricket and Northumberland Cricket Board have joined forces to deliver a high-performance pathway for women and girls in the North East - headed by former England cricketer and Hundred head coach Danielle Hazell.
The neighbouring counties will merge their under-17 county girls’ and senior women’s sides next summer alongside the already shared Girls’ Academy.
Confirmed as head coach of the Northern Superchargers in next year’s inaugural Hundred competition, Hazell will head up the new structure as the counties prepare to deliver the English Cricket Board’s action plan to transform women’s and girls’ cricket.
The merger will create a competitive pathway for the best talent in the North East, giving the region an opportunity to create and nurture a strong presence within the ECB’s national competitions.
The Girls’ Academy based at Emirates Riverside, which last year was approved as an ECB Regional Development Centre, already includes players from Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria.
Working together on the pathway will provide greater alignment and create stronger teams.
The shared pathway will place the two counties in a good position to deliver on the ECB’s action plan to develop aspiring female cricketers through the county age groups and will better align with ECB’s ambition to drive the performance of England women’s cricket through a new semi-professional, eightregion structure.
The new North East teams, including the Girls’ Academy, will play under a new brand, with a team name, logo and kit to be announced before next season.
Hazell will work alongside highperformance coaches Rachel Hopkins, James Lowe and Tom Cant to deliver the programme.
Durham’s Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “This merger represents a crucial step in achieving our ambition to support the female pathway and push the game forward in the North East.
“We have taken a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership and deliver an outstanding programme in a very crucial time of the development in the female game.
“This merger will give our best talent in the region a chance to develop as cricketers and people in a competitive environment, while helping raise the profile of the female game in the North East and working towards a good standard of cricket in both our counties.”
He added: “Dani’s involvement as head coach is something we are really proud of.
“She is uniquely placed in the area, having made it to the highest possible level of the women’s game, to pass on her knowledge and experiences to our girls, to support them on their own cricket journey.
“We feel this is really important and key to our aspirations of creating a great pathway for talented cricketers in the North East.”
Director of Cricket Development at Northumberland Cricket Board Ian Wardle said: “We are really excited to work with Durham on an ambitious plan which represents our commitment to the female game in the North East.
“We have a lot of potential and talent in our counties and by joining forces we will provide a very wellsupported programme for these players.
“We know this merger will make a massive difference to the game in the region and we are excited for the new season.”