A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery and Advocacy

As I reflect on my own experiences and the challenges I faced as one of the few women of Indian heritage to play for England, I am reminded of the significance of representation and inclusion in cricket. It has been nearly a quarter of a century since I made my England debut, and while I have had the privilege of winning World Cups and receiving accolades, I am acutely aware of the struggles that many women and girls from diverse backgrounds face in the sport.

Growing up, I faced my own set of challenges, including being ridiculed for my appearance and feeling like an outsider in the England Under-15s training camp. However, with the support of my parents, who encouraged me to keep pursuing my passion for cricket, I was able to overcome these obstacles and eventually become a professional cricketer. But I know that not every girl from a similar background has been as fortunate.

That’s why I founded Take Her Lead in 2022, with the aim of increasing the number of women and girls playing and staying in the game, and advancing equity and diversity in cricket. Through life-skills workshops and mentorship programs, we aim to connect young players from under-represented groups to aspirational role models and provide them with the mental and social skills required to succeed in the sport. Our research has shown that girls are 20% more likely to drop out of sport than boys, and we believe that by addressing these systemic barriers, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all players.

One of the key challenges we face is the lack of representation of diverse backgrounds on the England and Wales Cricket Board’s talent pathway. A recent study by Hina Shafi, a PhD researcher at Birmingham City University, found that while South Asian women and girls make up 11.6% of participants at youth level, this drops to only 3.3% of the country’s professional female cricketers. This disparity is not unique to cricket, as South Asian women and girls are also the least likely to participate in recommended levels of physical activity.

We are working to address this issue by partnering with organizations such as the South Asian Cricket Academy (Saca) and the National Asian Cricket Council to provide more opportunities for women and girls from diverse backgrounds to participate in the sport. We are also working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for players from diverse backgrounds, by providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

As I look back on my own journey, I am reminded of the importance of self-acceptance and the need for role models who can inspire and support young women from diverse backgrounds. My parents, who encouraged me to pursue my passion for cricket despite the initial ridicule and segregation I faced, played a crucial role in my development.

However, I am also aware of the challenges that many women and girls from diverse backgrounds face, including issues related to nutrition, period dignity, and the pressure to prioritize academic achievement over sporting aspirations. Coaches and mentors need to understand that players from diverse backgrounds may have different needs and priorities, and that it is essential to create a supportive and inclusive environment that values and respects their differences.

Ultimately, our mission at Take Her Lead is to create a world where every woman and girl has the best possible experience of cricket, regardless of their background or circumstances. By working together and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from diverse backgrounds from participating in the sport, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment that values and celebrates diversity.

Key statistics:

• 11.6% of participants at youth level are South Asian women and girls
• 3.3% of the country’s professional female cricketers are South Asian women and girls
• Girls are 20% more likely to drop out of sport than boys
• South Asian women and girls are the least likely to participate in recommended levels of physical activity

Take Her Lead initiatives:

• Life-skills workshops and mentorship programs for young players from under-represented groups
• Partnerships with organizations such as the South Asian Cricket Academy (Saca) and the National Asian Cricket Council
• Creation of a more inclusive and supportive environment for players from diverse backgrounds
• Provision of resources and support for players from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the sport

Quotes:

• “Boys need to be competitive to feel accepted, but girls need to feel accepted to be competitive.” – Moya Dodd, former Australian international footballer
• “We need to create a world where every woman and girl has the best possible experience of cricket, regardless of their background or circumstances.” – Me, founder of Take Her Lead