Game Changers: Supporting Female Cricket

Aim

To launch a girls’ youth cricket section at Derriaghy Cricket Club, empowering young females to discover cricket, build confidence, and thri

Who are we?

Derriaghy Cricket Club is a grassroots cricket club dedicated to developing young people and strengthening our local community through sport. We work closely with schools and community partners to create inclusive opportunities that encourage participation, build confidence, and promote positive lifelong engagement in physical activity.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to launch a new girls’ youth cricket section at Derriaghy Cricket Club. The funding will help us remove financial barriers to participation by covering essential start-up costs such as coaching, equipment, facility hire, and introductory programmes, ensuring girls can take part regardless of background or experience.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Our fundraising target is £6,000, which will be used as follows:

• Before and Afterschool schools coaching/taster sessions – £4,000
  To deliver structured coaching sessions and cricket taster programmes in local primary/secondary schools. This will occur before and after school. This will introduce girls to cricket in a fun, supportive environment and act as the main pathway into our new girls’ section. We will deliver 80 hours of coaching across 12 schools. Breakdown- 12 schools - each school will receive 6-7 hours of coaching (either before or after school. 2 coaches x £25/hr x 40 hours each = £4000
  
  

• Specialist equipment – £1,000
  To purchase age-appropriate and female-friendly cricket equipment that ensures sessions are safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for beginners. This will allow us to purchase 2 new kit bags and new protective helmets.

• General equipment – £1,000
  To provide essential items such as cricket balls, incrediballs, and tennis balls, allowing us to run sessions safely and accommodate different ages and ability levels. Budget breakdown - cricket balls (U9/11/13/15) of different sizes and weights (£500), tennis balls buckets x 4 (£200), Incrediballs (£200) and cones/targets (£100)

Every contribution will help us remove barriers to participation and give more girls the opportunity to try cricket, build confidence, and enjoy being active as part of a welcoming club environment 🏏

All coaching and equipment will be completed/purchased by 31st March.

Community impact

Derriaghy Cricket Club plays an active role in supporting the wider community, not just through cricket but by creating positive, inclusive opportunities for children and young people.

This project will benefit:

• Girls and young females by providing a safe, welcoming pathway into sport, helping to increase confidence, physical activity levels, and long-term participation.

• Local schools through free and low-cost coaching and taster sessions that support the curriculum and encourage girls to try a new sport in a familiar environment.

• Families by offering affordable opportunities at a time when cost can be a barrier to participation in organised sport.

• The wider community by promoting inclusion, equality, and positive social interaction through shared sporting experiences.

By establishing a girls’ youth cricket section, the club will help address the underrepresentation of females in cricket locally and create sustainable opportunities that extend beyond the life of this project. The programme will strengthen community links, provide positive role models, and support healthier, more active lifestyles for young people.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made