WOMEN AND GIRLS CRICKET RESOURCE CENTRE
Welcome to the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League W&G resources centre. Here you will find updates, information and resources to support Clubs develop and continue W&G Cricket
Earlier this year, the ECB announced an important update to the ECB Premier League Criteria:
Leagues must take steps to ensure that every club in the top two ECB PL divisions of their competitions have at least one Girls’ (Age) Section*. This section can be at any Age Group from and including U9 up to U18 level. * A Girls' Section is defined as a minimum of one girls' team playing in either a softball or hardball fixture, league or friendly, indoors, or outdoors, on Play-Cricket.
A grace period will apply such that Leagues must be in a position to comply with this condition by 31 March 2026.
Recognising the scale of change this represents in Yorkshire—and the potential challenges for some clubs—the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB) has worked closely with the ECB to propose a more supportive and phased approach. This plan is designed to help clubs build sustainable Girls’ Sections that are right for the women's and girls’ game and that bring long-term benefits to your club.
The ECB has approved this phased approach, with the understanding that HPCL clubs must actively engage and commit to the development of girls' cricket. If a club does not participate or meet the required milestones—without reasonable explanation—the ECB and the League will take action in line with the accreditation criteria.
LATEST NEWS
W&G UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2026
Please read this NEW document summarising arrangements for Women and Girls Cricket 2026 across Huddersfield in 2026 which covers the following:
Please note that the U11 league is not going to happen and will be run as U11 festivals, as detailed in the attached document.
Please also be aware of the below deadlines for entering teams:
Deadline for women and girls league registrations
Girls league registrations close this Sunday February 8th (U13 leagues - softball and hardball, U15 league - hardball): Click here to register
Women's softball league registrations close February 21st: Click here to register
Clubs aiming to start U11 girls cricket this year should contact Steph Bown steph.bown@gmail.com with a designated contact and their WhatsApp number, to be added to the Huddersfield W&G WhatsApp group. A reminder that this is a 6-a-side format, and that the festivals have registrations open in March/April but there is flexibility to join throughout the season. Matches are recorded on play-cricket and allow clubs in the relevant divisions to demonstrate their required progress towards establishment of girls teams.
Steph will be leading Huddersfield Girls’ Cricket Festivals in 2026, and clubs are warmly invited to get involved. Details are below, and you can contact Steph directly at any time. By entering a girls’ team into these festivals and playing some friendly 6-a-side matches, your club will also meet the criteria for accreditation – a great way to grow the game and inspire the next generation.
The Festivals are similar to the Huddersfield U9 Tournaments focusing on fun and participation.
All you need to join in is : Six girls aged 7-11
Two adults (one to umpire and one to score)
Two plastic bats and a few wind balls.
All matches are recorded on play-cricket as tied and you can join in without hosting a festival (although we are grateful to clubs that do)
For more information please contact Steph Bown steph.bown@gmail.com or 07825809743
Congratulations to Steph Bown from Almondbury Wesleyan CC, who was recently named Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket at the Cricket Collective Awards at Headingley – a fantastic achievement!
Coaching Courses available from the YCF
A variety of Coaching Courses are available to book via the YCF website including below:
Metro Bank ECB Core Coach (L2) - Please email Kevin Gresham for more info. Bursaries available.
NEW - Rookie Coach Award - Age 12 and over, online course (female version also available)
Click here for more details and to book
USEFUL LINKS
ECB Accreditation - outlines the ECB requirements for Girls Cricket
Bringing Together Women & Girls Cricket West Yorkshire playing W&G cricket in West Yorkshire
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation - getting involved in Girls Cricket, Roses, Dynamos and funding information
Roses Cricket Information pack
Enjoy Cricket - funding for clubs school holiday cricket sessions
Metrobank Girls In Cricket Fund - infomation about funding and publicity
ECB Resource Hub - Free marketing assets for advertising etc (register to access)
West Yorkshire Women and Girls Play Cricket League - for all the W&G fixtures and results
Useful Contacts
Katie Stewart
Women & Girls Club and League Development Manager - West Yorkshire
Email: k.stewart@yorkshirecb.com
Tel: 07874860280
Steve Coulthard
Club and Community Development Manager - West Yorkshire
Email: s.coulthard@yorkshirecb.com
Sara Begg
HPCL W&G EDI Rep
Email: sara.r.begg@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 07545 672077
Jackie Brook
HPCL Compliance Officer
Email: jackie.brook31@gmail.com
Tel: 07718 617007
GIRLS SECTIONS IN CLUBS
HPCLs Jackie Brook welcomed Steve Coultard, Steve Archer, Katie Stewart Phil Sharples from the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation to discuss the recent ECB requirement for teams in the top 2 divisions to provide girls teams before 2028. Access the presentation here : HPCL W&G Presentation
Katie and Phil mentioned how much great work had been done in the area already and they've kindly shared the following short videos that illustrate this perfectly! Please feel free to share with your teams/ members/ committee
https://www.facebook.com/
share/v/17jwJq2BCA/?mibextid= wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/
share/v/1BnWQaNfZY/?mibextid= wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/
share/v/17YyJ67jGT/?mibextid= wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1G5hnv8SpJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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