More than 100 state school girls across the East Midlands are set to receive free cricket kits this summer as part of a major push to boost the grassroots game. The regional initiative, backed by professional services group Gateley and dedicated girls' cricket brand Maiden, aims to break down financial barriers and fast-track the development of young female players during the sport's biggest summer yet.
Addressing inequality in girls' cricket
For many state school girls, cricket still comes with hurdles - ranging from tight school budgets and lack of facilities to playing in kit that simply wasn't designed for them. While girls’ cricket continues to grow rapidly across the UK, opportunities remain uneven, with many state schools still lacking the resources and support needed to make the sport fully accessible.
A partnership between Gateley and Maiden Cricket is aiming to help change that across the East Midlands. Backed by a £15,000 investment from Gateley, the initiative will provide purpose-built cricket kit and equipment for more than 100 girls across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire during the 2026/27 season.
Focus on state schools and community programmes
The programme is specifically focused on supporting state schools and community initiatives where limited access to funding or girls-specific cricket kit is restricting participation and development opportunities. The expansion builds on strong results in Surrey, where three schools and the GB Women’s Wheelchair Cricket Team were given £15,000 worth of kit and investment. The programme led to increased participation, improved performance and the launch of new girls’ teams, showing what happens when girls are properly equipped and backed.
Harry Gilchrist, head coach at Christ’s College, said: “The girls absolutely loved playing in a 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.”
James Watson, head coach and teacher at Heathfield, said: “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.”
Breaking down barriers
Cat Black, co-founder of Maiden Cricket, said: “The issue is bigger than the 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 participation pathways and investment continue to differ hugely depending on background and school setting. When girls feel comfortable, included and properly supported, confidence changes - and that changes participation too. That’s what this partnership is about.”
Selected schools will receive fully funded girls’ cricket kits and equipment tailored to their needs, helping remove some of the practical barriers that can prevent girls from fully participating in the game.
Building confidence through sport
Louise Hodgkinson, responsible business manager at Gateley, added: “We’re proud to support an initiative focused on creating more equal access to opportunities for girls across the region. 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, along with community programmes across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire that are looking to grow girls’ cricket participation. Priority will be given to schools and programmes where support can have the greatest impact on participation and access. The deadline for submissions is Monday, June 29.
