Integration of women's cricket
An exciting phase is emerging in the world of cricket following the integration of women's cricket with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
In an effort to widen the cricket market, increase the number of participants and provide opportunities for females to access the game, the ICC officially integrated with women's cricket following the eighth Women's World Cup held in South Africa in April 2005. Prior to integration, women's cricket had been governed by the International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC) from 1958 to 2005.
Integration is not only occurring at the International level - a number of member countries have also integrated with women's cricket with some very positive outcomes for the game. The perceived benefits that will result from the integration process include an increase in cricket participation, greater resources and an enhanced profile for women's cricket worldwide.
The ICC is committed to promoting and developing women's cricket and to providing opportunities for females from the development level right through to the representative level. To show their dedication to women's cricket, Megan Smith was employed in the role of Women's Project Officer in March 2005. The focus of this role will be to work with key cricketing stakeholders including the ECC to develop women's cricket. This will include aligning the current ICC policies, playing conditions and code of conduct to the women's game, working on strategies to develop the game in all regions and enhancing performance standards of international players. Additionally it is important that the ICC is working towards developing young female cricketers in the ICC regions and ensuring females have access to cricket activities, competitions, facilities and equipment similar to their male counterparts.
Following integration an ICC Women's Committee was established to work in conjunction with the ICC to govern and manage women's cricket and provide recommendations to the ICC Development Committee. The Europe region representative on this committee is Gill McConway (ECB's Director of Women's Cricket) whose purpose will be to voice the women's cricket needs and requirements of the Europe region.
Megan is available to support and assist the regions and member countries with providing information on women's cricket, establishing development programs and providing a pathway for females to progress through the cricket structure to hopefully one day represent their country. No doubt there will be challenges ahead but it is definitely an exciting time not only for women's cricket but it is a bold move for cricket in general.