Four key players from the Australian women’s cricket team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, will be employed by Cricket Australia as National Female Cricket Ambassadors.
Ellyse Perry, Delissa Kimmince and Kate and Alex Blackwell will become the national faces of Cricket Australia’s Females in Cricket strategy in roles designed to develop, promote and integrate women and girls into all facets of Australian cricket. The roles are effective immediately.
Ellyse Perry, who has just completed her HSC, is looking forward to the new role.
“As somebody who loves the game of cricket, I’m looking forward to helping promote the role of females in the game so hopefully many more females can get the same enjoyment that I have from the sport.
“In the short-term I may look to combine studies with my sport, and the ambassador role is flexible employment that fits and helps with that balance.”
In particular the Female Cricket Ambassadors will aim to drive participation for the 5-12 year old age group into the MILO in2CRICKET program. Over the last 12 months this participant group has seen the largest percentage increase of all groups, up 18% taking it to 42 686 female participants between 5 and 12 nationally, with potential for even greater growth in this area. One of the charters of the MILO in2CRICKET program is to promote exercise and healthy lifestyle amongst Australian children.
Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Game Development Damien Bown sees the appointments as a significant step in the Females in Cricket strategy:
“Cricket Australia is dedicated to fostering a game that is more inclusive and encouraging of female participation through its Females in Cricket strategy,” Bown said.
“Alex, Kate, Ellyse and Delissa are all fine role models and sportspeople, and I look forward to working with them to help grow the game and female participation.”
The Female Cricket Ambassadors will assist Cricket Australia and state associations in achieving the objectives of the national Females in Cricket strategy that include:
• Working within the school environment to improve women and girls’ understanding and awareness of cricket;
• Shifting the culture of cricket organisations with respect to females;
• Create an inclusive image for cricket;
• Fostering the ongoing success of the Australian women’s team; and
• Raising public awareness of women’s cricket and improving the image of women’s cricket.
Ambassadors will undertake a variety of work including media appearances, school visits, involvement in national and state junior cricket championships, promotional shoots, and speaking at CA corporate events.
Information care of Cricket Australia.
