Girls across Nottinghamshire face significant barriers to cricket participation, including a lack of funding, facilities, and purpose-built kit. A new partnership between professional services group Gateley Legal and women's cricket brand Maiden aims to break down these obstacles, providing more girls with the opportunity to experience cricket with proper equipment and support.
£15,000 Investment to Equip Over 100 Girls
Backed by a £15,000 investment from Gateley, the initiative will supply purpose-built cricket kit and equipment to more than 100 girls across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas during the 2026/27 season. Applications are now open to state primary and secondary schools, grassroots cricket clubs, and community programmes looking to expand girls' cricket participation.
The programme prioritises organisations where limited access to funding, facilities, or girls-specific kit restricts opportunities. By focusing on these areas, the initiative aims to help girls develop skills and feel confident within the sport.
Proven Success in Surrey
This expansion follows the initiative's first phase in Surrey, where three schools and the GB Women's Wheelchair Cricket Team received £15,000 worth of kit and investment. The results were notable: increased participation, improved confidence, and the formation of new girls' teams. This demonstrates the tangible impact that appropriate resources can have on young athletes.
Harry Gilchrist, head coach at Christ's College, observed the difference firsthand: “The girls absolutely loved playing in kit that fit them properly and was designed specifically for them. You could see the difference in their confidence straight away. They felt more comfortable, more included and ultimately played better because of it.”
Building Confidence and Success
James Watson, head coach and teacher at Heathfield, highlighted how proper support translates into on-field achievements: “Our girls have achieved some incredible results recently, including reclaiming the Richmond Borough title and winning the Hampton Wick Royal Primary Schools Cricket Cup, and that success has been driven by the confidence and belief they’ve developed through feeling properly supported. Initiatives like this play a huge role in helping girls in state schools thrive both on and off the pitch.”
The issue extends beyond kit, according to Cat Black, co-founder of Maiden Cricket: “The issue is bigger than cricket kit alone. It’s about what happens when girls repeatedly feel like sport wasn’t designed with them in mind. Too often, girls in state schools are being asked to make do with shared, ill-fitting or adapted kit while opportunities and investment continue to differ depending on background and school setting. When girls feel comfortable, included and properly supported, confidence changes - and that changes participation too. This partnership is about creating more opportunities for girls across Nottinghamshire to feel that cricket is a sport where they belong.”
How to Apply and Impact
Selected schools, clubs, and community programmes will receive fully funded girls' cricket kit and equipment tailored to their needs, removing practical barriers that hinder participation. Louise Hodgkinson, responsible business manager at Gateley, explained the motivation: “We’re proud to support an initiative focused on creating more equal access to opportunities for girls across Nottinghamshire. Sport can play a hugely important role in building confidence, resilience and ambition, but too often access is shaped by circumstance. We want to help more girls feel able to participate, develop and belong in the game.”
Applications are now open to state primary and secondary schools, grassroots cricket clubs, and community programmes across Nottinghamshire. Priority will be given to organisations where support can have the greatest impact on participation and access. The programme represents a significant step toward levelling the playing field for girls in cricket, ensuring that every girl has the chance to play, grow, and succeed in the sport.
