A coach-load of women from Birmingham travelled south from Edgbaston to London to attend the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup launch on Sunday, for an event which was hailed as a ‘great success’.
Through Warwickshire Cricket Foundation’s Cricket Cities Programme, which helps women who live in diverse urban areas of Birmingham and Warwickshire to access the sport of cricket, more than 30 young women ventured to the capital to enjoy a special afternoon on Waterloo Bridge.
The Cricket Cities Programme, funded by the ECB, targets selected areas of the region to provide cricket opportunities and offer various programmes and weekly sessions to local communities.
As the beginning of the highly anticipated World Cup draws closer – the tournament begins at Edgbaston as England face Sri Lanka on Friday – the Birmingham and Warwickshire based women enjoyed an unforgettable experience.
They took part in a meet and greet with the 12 captains of the World Cup’s competing teams, all of who were in attendance – including England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt – and took the opportunity to claim autographs and photographs with the stars on the eve of the tournament.
There were plenty of cricket-themed activities on offer, too, for fans and players alike to participate in, as Waterloo Bridge was transformed into a purpose-built cricket sphere for a single day.
There was also the chance for the group, who were supplied with and wore Warwickshire Cricket Foundation shirts on the day, to take a selfie with the World Cup trophy itself.
One young lady said of the experience: “I really enjoyed it. I had a great time playing the games and getting autographs. It was a brilliant experience. You are all a credit to Warwickshire Cricket Foundation! Thank you all for making it such a memorable trip.”
It was a day highly enjoyed by all who attended, in particular the group who represented Birmingham as one of the World Cup’s host cities and who have benefitted from Cricket Cities Programme which has reached out into local communities to deliver opportunities such as this.
Another woman said of the day out: “Thank you for organising such a fantastic event. It was a lovely day, and everything ran so smoothly. Your hard work and commitment were evident throughout, and it was greatly appreciated. I look forward to future events.”