To mark International Women's Day, Golden Hill Cricket Club would like to recognise some incredible women who are making a difference throughout the club and in the sport.
International Women's Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the brilliant social, cultural, political and sporting achievements of women around the globe and to call for action to accelerate gender equality worldwide.
At Golden Hill Cricket Club, we have some fantastic women leading the way in creating a more equal, progressive future where women and girls thrive - both on and off the pitch.
We want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their efforts, give our thanks and celebrate their achievements, which often take place behind the scenes.
Among these are the fantastic female players in our women's 1st XI, 2nd XI, T20, and softball squads. They show great team and community spirit and a passion for the game and are excellent role models for our female junior players.
This includes our Head of Women's Cricket and Women's 1st XI Captain, Emma Hunter, who is an integral part of the club's executive committee, a valued member of the coaching workforce and a driving force in the transitioning and retention of female players throughout adolescence and beyond and Millie Chaplin, the Women's 2nd XI Captain and another key female member of the coaching workforce.
It also includes our female cricket committee members, softball captain and T20 captains, Sarah Walsh, Lizzie Boyd, Victoria Whitehouse, Liv Young and Caitlin McAulay whose input ensures that the views and experiences of female members are taken into account in planning and decision-making processes.
Also among those being celebrated are Abbie Woodworth, Rosie Dodds, Jacqui Fry, and Rachael Fricker, who are all committed and inspiring members of our coaching workforce and Maddy Brown and Vicky Bonynge-Pearce, both of whom are crucial members of the club's Social Committee when they are not busy playing or scoring games.
Adding to the line-up of inspiring and committed women who make our club a better club and a better community, we have Rachael Humphreys, who is responsible for junior membership management and communications, Jen Tomkinson, who is an essential member of our safeguarding team and Manon Younger, the club's First-Aid Officer.
We also have many female youth parents who generously give their time to help with various aspects of the club regularly and ad hoc. Thank you!
Today, we want to thank the exceptional female leaders, captains, coaches, and other volunteers who drive the club forward and whose selfless work is often unseen.
The overarching theme for International Women's Day 2024 is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" and the campaign theme is "Inspire Inclusion". At Golden Hill Cricket Club, we have recently experienced first-hand the benefits of female representation at all levels of the club, and we will continue to prioritise EDI efforts and increase the number of females represented in committees and coaching roles going forward.