Women and Girls’ Cricket Community Hub

Aim: To unite the diverse female population of North & West Belfast by providing the opportunity to participate in sport at Woodvale Cricket Club

Who are we?

Woodvale Cricket Club has been a cornerstone of the North and West Belfast communities for over 130 years, offering opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy and excel in cricket. Now, we are embarking on an exciting new chapter to focus on the growth of women’s and girls’ cricket, ensuring that even more members of our community can experience the joy and benefits of the game.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are committed to expanding our club outreach and introducing innovative programmes that are accessible to everyone, regardless of gender believes, background or ability. We work with schools and community groups in the heart of West Belfast and hope to inspire and engage women and girls, creating pathways to join the club and be part of our cricketing family. With your support, we aim to:

• Launch a new morning Cricket programme in local secondary schools which will commence on the first week of April and run as a 12 week block of 100 hours of activity engagement for the local community with coaching and activity sessions which will feed nicely into the cricket season starting in April'25. Our aim is to introduce cricket to students in schools we’ve never worked with before and encourage them to take up the sport. Which will then lead us to winter periods which we need the financial backing to expand this project and reach our goal to help during the winter months October'25 to March'26.

• Organise taster sessions May'25 to August'25 for all female participants youth to adult women in local hockey and football clubs, offering them the chance to try cricket in a fun and welcoming environment. Some participant's might need transport which we will need financial support to help cover these costs.

• Purchase new equipment April'25 through multiple sources which will come at a cost and  to ensure that girls and women can train and play without financial barriers which allows us to target the biggest crowed and give access to any participant who wishes to participate.

• Develop and train new coaches via year round courses, with a particular focus on female coaching, to support these programmes and inspire the next generation of coaches. The project will target coaching development and leadership skills which will allow our female coaches and volunteers to become role models and mentors for the younger generation.

Why It Matters

Women’s cricket in Ireland is thriving and has the potential to shape the future of the sport. By focusing on grassroots development and community outreach, Woodvale Cricket Club is not only creating new opportunities for women and girls but also securing a vibrant and inclusive future for cricket in North and West Belfast.

Woodvale CC is situated on the border of North and West Belfast and is close to a number of flashpoint interfaces. One positive outworking will be to provide much needed diversionary activities for young girls over the summer months. These will help maintain community stability and importantly improve community relations across the North & West of the city.

We recognise that many of the women and girls in our community face barriers to sports participation whether due to financial constraints, gender biases, or limited access to local facilities. Our programme will specifically support these individuals, offering subsidized fees and free equipment to ensure everyone has the opportunity to join in. Women and girls-only sessions will create a safe and supportive environment, where participants can thrive without feeling excluded.

Your contributions will directly support these projects and make a lasting impact on our club and our community. Together, we can grow the game and provide meaningful opportunities for women and girls to discover cricket.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The £10,000 raised through our project will be strategically allocated to support the continued growth and development of women’s and girls’ cricket at Woodvale Cricket Club. Approximately £1900 of the funds, will be dedicated to purchasing essential training equipment including multifunctional agility kit £50, batting cones ,tees and multifunctional balls £100, catch nets, catching cradles and rebound nets £100. Then game day equipment, including bats x 6 @ £70 = £420 , balls x 30 @ £13 = £390, helmets x 6 @ £50 = £300 , pads x 6 sets £240, gloves x 6 @ £35 = £210 and abdominal protection x 30 @ £5 = £150 ensuring all individual participants have access to top-quality resources. This investment will create a safe, supportive environment conducive to skill development and match play.

Furthermore, a significant proportion of the funds will be used to recruit and train additional qualified coaches and volunteers. At a cost of approximately £5000 i.e. average of 5 coaches x 1 hour per/week x 40 weeks @ an average of £25 p/h . This will enhance our coaching capacity, we will provide high-quality, tailored training to female participants, fostering skill development and improving their overall experience. The funds will also enable us to subsidise playing membership fees at a cost of circa £1540 i.e Adult Playing fee p/a £140 x 5 players and Student Playing fee p/a £70 x 12 players making cricket more accessible to women and girls, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may face financial barriers.

A further portion of the raised funds will be directed towards expanding our Winter Programme. This will cover the costs, at approximately £1500 i.e 20 weeks @ £75p/h for indoor facilities and to support the implementation of girls-only training sessions. Providing year-round opportunities for engagement will help retain participants and further develop their skills. Through these targeted investments, we aim to create lasting impact and build a sustainable, thriving women’s cricket community at Woodvale Cricket Club.

Community impact

In Northern Ireland, statistics reveal a significant gender disparity in sports participation. Female representation in board membership across sports stands at just 31%, with only 25% of coaches, 38% of officials, and 36% of club members being female. This is despite 55% of women reporting participation in sport and physical activity. In West Belfast, where participation rates are even lower, Woodvale Cricket Club is committed to addressing these challenges. We aim to provide a platform for female participation in sport, foster opportunities for personal growth, and create a safe, inclusive space for all. Our focus is on promoting cross-community engagement, equal opportunities, and mental health awareness, while encouraging the formation of friendships and a sense of belonging within the community. Through these efforts, Woodvale Cricket Club strives to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in North & West Belfast.