News article
Cricket Australia publishes new Women and Girls Action Plan
Cricket Australia has launched its new Women and Girls Action Plan, with targets from grassroots participation and infrastructure, through to growing commercial revenue and attendance at elite level.
Bringing the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in line with the men’s edition and introducing a new state-based T20 competition will be the first steps of the plan.
The WBBL will be condensed into a 40-game regular season, the same as the men’s competition. The introduction of a state-based T20 competition will mean that there will not be an overall reduction in women’s games, therefore providing more top-flight playing opportunities for domestic cricketers.
While further details on the new tournament are yet to be announced, it is expected to run alongside the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League. The extra match payments will see the average female domestic salary increase 8% to A$163,322 for a player with a WBBL and state contract.
The new schedule of games will also enable more fixtures to take place in main stadiums across Australia, with the goal of growing audiences, creating more playing opportunities and increasing player wages. Cricket Australia has set a target of 600,000 fans attending women’s cricket across the country each summer by 2034.
“It is also extremely important that the increased interest in women's sport is reflected in sponsorship and broadcast deals, and I hope this plan will continue to drive this growth so that women's cricket continues to thrive.”
Last summer, the combined WBBL and women’s international attendance was roughly 120,000.
Elsewhere, the plan also calls for a four-fold increase in girls aged 5-12 participating in cricket to 100,000, with A$500m to be invested in female-specific infrastructure. Off the field, the plan further targets a minimum of 40% female representation in the Australian Cricket workforce, including executive, board membership and community cricket roles.
“Australian cricket has been at the forefront of the growth in women’s sport providing some of the best opportunities for players with resourcing and remuneration and it’s reassuring to know this commitment will not only be sustained, but greatly enhanced over the next ten years,” said Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry.
“With viewing audiences increasing, the public appetite for women’s sport is now indisputable and we would love to see major stadiums filled with fans for our international and WBBL games and more girls inspired to play cricket.
“It is also extremely important that the increased interest in women’s sport is reflected in sponsorship and broadcast deals, and I hope this plan will continue to drive this growth so that women’s cricket continues to thrive.”
Image: Robert Drummond on Wikimedia Commons