The Anthony Axford North West Cricket League continues to push the boundaries for girls cricket - and more plans are afoot.

Organisers have overseen a successful first season for the girls’ softball division in the league.

And with exciting plans for the development and sustainability of girls’ cricket within the league, the call is going out for for more girls and women to get involved.

A survey undertaken in 2022 by Women in Sport found that 43 per cent of girls who once considered themselves ‘sporty’, drop out of sport after primary school.

While puberty and body image may contribute to this figure, lack of opportunity and years of gender stereotyping account for so much more.

In 2023, the NWCL announced exciting plans to level the playing field and introduce a girls’ softball division as part of a five-year strategy to establish a successful female structure within the league.

Fast forward a year and the girls’ softball division proudly comprises of teams from Atherton, Blackrod, Ramsbottom, Tonge and Wigan, and a “hub” team hosted and managed by Blackrod Cricket Club, made up of girls from Horwich, Lostock and Westhoughton Cricket Clubs.

Divisional teams have welcomed experienced players from mixed under-nines and U11 teams, as well as girls completely new to the game.

Despite their differences, the girls have gelled beautifully in an environment designed to build skills, friendships and confidence.

While the first season was one of the wettest on record, the weather did not dampen the girls’ spirits and Blackrod Girls were the winners of the girls’ softball division for 2024.

Rebecca Dunn, whose daughter plays for Lostock U9s and Blackrod Hub said: “My daughter has had a fantastic first season with Blackrod Girls Hub.

“She has continued to train with her other club but has been made so welcome by Blackrod.

“She’s benefitted from additional training with the Blackrod coaches and has been able to play for both her club and Blackrod Hub as the girls have games on different days.

“Most importantly she has had the best time, made some fantastic new friends and she loves her girls’ team matches.”

The group of coaches share a sense of pride, which is deeply rooted in the friendships the girls have made; the courage and resilience they’ve shown (despite the rain), and the way they inspire and support each other every single week.

Bury’s Kate Cross, who has captained England Women’s white-ball team recently as well as Lancashire Thunder, said: “It’s really great to see us pushing women and girls’ cricket and really encouraging everyone to have an opportunity to play what is a wonderful sport.”

Next season, there are ambitious plans to further develop the division so there’s a defined pathway for girls to continue playing cricket throughout secondary school.

The NWCL’s commitment is to encourage girls to unapologetically take up a space previously occupied exclusively by boys and seize the opportunity to carve out their own identity as girls and young women in cricket.

n Anyone who would like to get involved with girls’ cricket as a player or a coach should contact Tracey Brooks on 07878 755467.