A brand-new sports academy has been established to revolutionise the pathway for young girls playing cricket across Hampshire. The Hampshire Hawks Girls Academy aims to provide a structured route for state schoolgirls of all abilities, enabling them to progress from casual play to elite performance.
Official Launch at Mount Pleasant Junior School
The official launch took place on June 7 at Mount Pleasant Junior School in Southampton. Hundreds of visitors attended throughout the day, enjoying community activities and live music. The initiative is funded by the Hampshire Cricket Foundation and will be delivered by pathway coaches in partnership with local community programmes.
Building on Success of Boys' Programme
This new academy follows the successful establishment of a similar boys' programme in recent years. It signals a strong commitment to ensuring that elite sports development is accessible to every girl in the county, regardless of her background. The academy will initially operate in Southampton before expanding to other communities across Hampshire.
Holistic Development Focus
Beyond physical cricket skills, the programme is designed to build confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and leadership qualities. Sam Moss from the Hampshire Cricket Board commented: "This is an important step forward for the development of girls' cricket in Hampshire and comes at a time of significant momentum for the women and girls' game. This initiative will extend the non-traditional pathway for girls from underserved areas in the county, so every girl in Hampshire feels they belong in cricket."
Charlotte Taylor, the academy head coach, added: "Having come through the pathway myself, it is an honour and a pleasure to lead this programme and reach into all areas of our community to develop these girls into not only cricketers, but all-round athletes and members of society. It’s something that I wish I had when I was starting in the sport."
Timely Launch During Women's Cricket Surge
The launch coincides with a defining moment for women's sport in England. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held on English soil from June 12 to July 5, with the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton confirmed as one of seven host venues. This new academy stands as a lasting legacy to the historic tournament, proving that world-class sport can inspire a generation.
