Peel and St John and Finch Hill Win 2023 Soft Ball Leagues
The 2023 Isle of Man women's soft ball cricket season involved the opportunity to play in festivals in May and a soft ball league with two divisions.
Peel and St John women's 1st XI won the IOMCA soft ball division one for the second year running remaining unbeaten with 5 wins through the season. Finch Hill CC also won the inaugural division 2 in their first year as a team. They were also unbeaten with 7 wins through the season.
Castletown's Erica Heunis topped the batting charts for division 1 with 127 runs and Peel and St Johns Jenny Caldwell the bowling with 10 wickets. Finch Hill's Isabella Clarke topped the batting charts with 171 runs and Lisa Quilliam the bowling with 10 wickets. The 2023 season was another successful year for women's cricket on the Isle of Man with 8 teams competing across two divisions and 45 fixtures completed.
Peel and St John women's 1st XI won the IOMCA soft ball division one for the second year running remaining unbeaten with 5 wins through the season. Finch Hill CC also won the inaugural division 2 in their first year as a team. They were also unbeaten with 7 wins through the season.
Castletown's Erica Heunis topped the batting charts for division 1 with 127 runs and Peel and St Johns Jenny Caldwell the bowling with 10 wickets. Finch Hill's Isabella Clarke topped the batting charts with 171 runs and Lisa Quilliam the bowling with 10 wickets. The 2023 season was another successful year for women's cricket on the Isle of Man with 8 teams competing across two divisions and 45 fixtures completed.
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Women's Soft Ball Season 2022
The 2022 Isle of Man women's soft ball cricket season involved the opportunity to play in festivals, a league and the knock out cup.
Three festivals took place in 2022 at King William's College, Cronkbourne and Crosby with 77 female players taking part. The largest festival being at King William's College on 29th May with 34 players playing three fixtures over the afternoon. The IOMCA will continue to run and promote the women and girl’s soft ball cricket festivals to introduce and engage more women and girls in the sport in a fun and non competitive way.
The soft ball cricket league began on Monday 27th June with 9 teams, an increase from 4 in 2021. There were 56 fixtures completed and the league gave the opportunity for 108 unique players to play regular competitive league cricket. The soft ball league season was closely contested between Peel and St Johns and Cronkbourne with Peel running out eventual winners in their first season in the league with 13 victories. Castletown's Clare Crowe topped the batting and bowling with 236 runs and 8 wickets.
The women's 6-a-side knock out cup culminated the season on Sunday 28th August. Four teams took part in the knock out cup with Kim Carney's hard hitting Crosby side eventual winners, winning all three of their fixtures over the afternoon.
The 2022 women's soft ball league season has seen significant growth on the Isle of Man with 108 players taking part in the soft ball league with 56 fixtures and five new teams.
Three festivals took place in 2022 at King William's College, Cronkbourne and Crosby with 77 female players taking part. The largest festival being at King William's College on 29th May with 34 players playing three fixtures over the afternoon. The IOMCA will continue to run and promote the women and girl’s soft ball cricket festivals to introduce and engage more women and girls in the sport in a fun and non competitive way.
The soft ball cricket league began on Monday 27th June with 9 teams, an increase from 4 in 2021. There were 56 fixtures completed and the league gave the opportunity for 108 unique players to play regular competitive league cricket. The soft ball league season was closely contested between Peel and St Johns and Cronkbourne with Peel running out eventual winners in their first season in the league with 13 victories. Castletown's Clare Crowe topped the batting and bowling with 236 runs and 8 wickets.
The women's 6-a-side knock out cup culminated the season on Sunday 28th August. Four teams took part in the knock out cup with Kim Carney's hard hitting Crosby side eventual winners, winning all three of their fixtures over the afternoon.
The 2022 women's soft ball league season has seen significant growth on the Isle of Man with 108 players taking part in the soft ball league with 56 fixtures and five new teams.
Cronkbourne Win the First Female Soft Ball Knock Out Cup 2021
Sunday 29th August saw the first female soft ball knock out 6-a-side competition at King William's College with seven teams entering - two each from Cronkbourne, Ramsey and Castletown and a newly formed Crosby team. The first round was used to create a seeding position by the number of runs teams scored which was then utilised to formulate a quarter final, semi final and final.
There was some entertaining and competitive cricket played with plenty of boundaries, catches and wickets. After Cronkbourne beat Castletown and Ramsey beating the other Ramsey team in their respective semi finals, Cronkbourne finished as winners of the 2021 6-a-side knock out competition in a high scoring final.
There was some entertaining and competitive cricket played with plenty of boundaries, catches and wickets. After Cronkbourne beat Castletown and Ramsey beating the other Ramsey team in their respective semi finals, Cronkbourne finished as winners of the 2021 6-a-side knock out competition in a high scoring final.
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Ramsey Win the Inaugural Women's Soft Ball League 2021
This year saw the first women's soft ball league made up of Ramsey, Cronkbourne and two teams from Castletown. After a delay to the start of the season due to high winds and rain six rounds of fixtures were played, with two fixtures per round played at Tromode, Ramsey Grammar School and King William's College.
Ramsey finished as winners of the inaugural soft ball league with 10 wins over the season. There were a number of close encounters with Cronkbourne including a tie with Cronkbourne finishing second and Castletown third and fourth respectively. The season has been great to watch with a number of close finishes and lots of competitive and exciting cricket played. The league has created the opportunity for 32 women and girls to play regular competitive cricket over the season with a number of new players joining clubs.
Ramsey finished as winners of the inaugural soft ball league with 10 wins over the season. There were a number of close encounters with Cronkbourne including a tie with Cronkbourne finishing second and Castletown third and fourth respectively. The season has been great to watch with a number of close finishes and lots of competitive and exciting cricket played. The league has created the opportunity for 32 women and girls to play regular competitive cricket over the season with a number of new players joining clubs.
Women's Soft Ball Cricket League 2021 Begins
Cronkbourne Cricket Club hosted the first round of the new women's soft ball cricket league after two previous cancellations due to high winds and rain. The league is made up of two teams from Castletown and one each from Cronkbourne and Ramsey. The first round of fixtures saw both Castletown sides play each other and Cronkbourne versus Ramsey and the second round saw Ramsey play Castletown 2nd XI and Cronkbourne versus Castletown 1st XI. Ramsey started strongly with two wins and a win each for Castletown 1st XI and Cronkbourne. A great start to the soft ball league with lots of runs scored and some excellent fielding on display. The next round of the league is June 27th at King William's College.
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New Exciting Female Cricket Opportunities for 2021
Building on the successes of the women and girls’ soft ball cricket festivals in 2019 and 2020 there is a number of new initiatives planned for 2021 as well as the traditional festivals which form part of the new Women and Girls’ Cricket Pathway..
Soft Ball Cricket Festivals
Pairs cricket, played on a smaller field and due to the softer ball no protective equipment is needed. Playing time at festivals is usually about two to four hours. It’s a game for absolutely everybody, no matter the experience, skill level, fitness, or age. Festivals will continue to be IOMCA run and hosted in clubs. Any age is welcome and festivals are open to individuals or club sides. People can form their own team of 8 players, join a local team or sign up individually and be allocated to a team on the day. Not available to IOMCA Senior Squad players.
Soft Ball Cricket Leagues (new for 2021)
16 overs 8-a-side pairs game played with larger boundaries with two fixtures played at a venue. The games will be umpired by the host club, scored and points recorded on Play Cricket. League fixtures will be club run, for age 11+ and open to club sides and anyone who would like to form a team of 8. Clubs and teams enter by emailing communitycoach@iomcricket.co.uk before March 31st.
Soft Ball Cricket Cup (new for 2021)
8 - a-side knock out cup pairs format run by the IOMCA at one central venue.
Super Series
The Super Series format will involve cricket ball T20 matches. Players will be split into teams depending on numbers beforehand and matches played in a festival format. These festivals will be a first introduction to the traditional ‘hardball’ cricket through gameplay. Transition sessions will be held across the island to help those female players with limited experience of hardball cricket and would like to move from soft ball to cricket ball. Super series festivals will be hosted at different club grounds with teams selected and run by the IOMCA. Players will be females aged 12 and above training in IOMCA squads or invited through attending transition sessions.
Female Cricket Bank Holiday Week End
To launch all the women and girls’ programmes there will be a female cricket bank holiday weekend (May Bank Holiday 1st, 2nd and 3rd May).
Soft Ball Cricket Festivals
Pairs cricket, played on a smaller field and due to the softer ball no protective equipment is needed. Playing time at festivals is usually about two to four hours. It’s a game for absolutely everybody, no matter the experience, skill level, fitness, or age. Festivals will continue to be IOMCA run and hosted in clubs. Any age is welcome and festivals are open to individuals or club sides. People can form their own team of 8 players, join a local team or sign up individually and be allocated to a team on the day. Not available to IOMCA Senior Squad players.
Soft Ball Cricket Leagues (new for 2021)
16 overs 8-a-side pairs game played with larger boundaries with two fixtures played at a venue. The games will be umpired by the host club, scored and points recorded on Play Cricket. League fixtures will be club run, for age 11+ and open to club sides and anyone who would like to form a team of 8. Clubs and teams enter by emailing communitycoach@iomcricket.co.uk before March 31st.
Soft Ball Cricket Cup (new for 2021)
8 - a-side knock out cup pairs format run by the IOMCA at one central venue.
Super Series
The Super Series format will involve cricket ball T20 matches. Players will be split into teams depending on numbers beforehand and matches played in a festival format. These festivals will be a first introduction to the traditional ‘hardball’ cricket through gameplay. Transition sessions will be held across the island to help those female players with limited experience of hardball cricket and would like to move from soft ball to cricket ball. Super series festivals will be hosted at different club grounds with teams selected and run by the IOMCA. Players will be females aged 12 and above training in IOMCA squads or invited through attending transition sessions.
Female Cricket Bank Holiday Week End
To launch all the women and girls’ programmes there will be a female cricket bank holiday weekend (May Bank Holiday 1st, 2nd and 3rd May).
Women and Girl's Soft Ball Festivals 2020
After an unusual start to the 2020 season the IOMCA ran 6 women and girl's soft ball festivals across the Isle of Man for the second year after a fantastic inception in 2019. There were seven different teams who participated in two to six of the festivals. Ramsey, Castletown, Cronkbourne, Finch Hill and Ramsey Hockey Club returned after playing in last years festivals and new for 2020 were the Isle of Man Badminton squad and Peel and St Johns. The record breaking festival was held at Ramsey Grammar School with four pitches, 8 teams and over 80 players! The standard of play has continued to improve with Castletown and Cronkbourne training on a regular basis throughout the season.
The clubs who hosted did a fantastic job preparing pitches, attracting new players and baking cakes. Thanks to Ramsey, Peel and St Johns, Finch Hill and Cronkbourne who each hosted one festival and Castletown who did two festivals. Unfortunately the festival at Crosby had to be cancelled due to the weather.. Huge thanks to all the scorers and umpires. Keep an eye out for updates and activities in the winter.
The clubs who hosted did a fantastic job preparing pitches, attracting new players and baking cakes. Thanks to Ramsey, Peel and St Johns, Finch Hill and Cronkbourne who each hosted one festival and Castletown who did two festivals. Unfortunately the festival at Crosby had to be cancelled due to the weather.. Huge thanks to all the scorers and umpires. Keep an eye out for updates and activities in the winter.
Record Breaking Festival
On Sunday 26th July the Ramsey Cricket Club women and girl's festival broke the previous record of six teams at Finch Hill CC in 2019. There were four pitches with 8 teams and over 80 players from Ramsey CC, Ramsey Hockey Club, Cronkbourne CC, Finch Hill CC and Castletown CC taking part over the afternoon. A huge thanks to Ramsey CC for doing such a brilliant job organising and running the festival and baking such delicious cake to raise money for the IOMCA Guernsey trip.
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Exciting Summer for Women and Girls' Cricket on the Isle of Man
Sally Green, Isle of Man Cricket's Community Coach visited Manx Radio at the end of February to discuss the Women's game with Rhiann Evans. They talked about the successful developments so far and the exciting plans for the summer of 2020.
Inaugural Women and Girls' Cricket Sub Committee Meeting
The first women and girl's sub committee meeting took place on the evening of November 26th. Representatives included Bernie Haywood, Fiona Roome, Kate Butler, Kathryn Clough, Janelle Clarke, Jenny Barnett and Sally Green. Lots was discussed including a review of 2019 which saw huge growth in the women and girl's game and action points were taken away to grow the game further in 2020 and beyond at all levels and ages. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 Tuesday January 21st 2020.
Women in Sport Podcast: Cricket
Maya and Helen Helfrich as well as Sally Green recorded a women in sport cricket podcast with Rhian Evans from Manx Radio. The podcast discusses all things cricket including the women and girl's festivals, the women and girl's pathway as well as why we love the game and dealing with nerves amongst many other things. The podcast is available to download from the below link. A huge thanks to Maya and Helen who spoke excellently.
Women & Girl's Soft Ball Festivals 2019
In 2019 the IOMCA ran 9 women and girl's soft ball festivals across the Isle of Man for the first time. All in all over 110 new participants took part across the summer. Of these participants, nearly all the players took part in more than one festival demonstrating the desire to play even more cricket! Many of the participants played cricket for the first time and a large number who have been watching their husbands, sons, daughters and brothers plays decided it was their turn to give it a go. Participants were able to enter individually and be put in a team or enter as a team. Each of the players received a Cric Start bat and ball set as well as a hoodie or t shirt. Thanks to Ramsey and Castletown who entered a team in every festival and Ramsey Hockey Club, Finch Hill and Cronkbourne who also entered teams.
The clubs who hosted did a fantastic job putting on excellent teas and preparing pitches. Thanks to Ramsey, Peel and St Johns, Finch Hill, Cronkbourne and Valkyres who each hosted one festival and Crosby and Castletown who did two festivals each. Thanks to all the scorers and umpires. Keep an eye out for updates and activities in the winter.
The clubs who hosted did a fantastic job putting on excellent teas and preparing pitches. Thanks to Ramsey, Peel and St Johns, Finch Hill, Cronkbourne and Valkyres who each hosted one festival and Crosby and Castletown who did two festivals each. Thanks to all the scorers and umpires. Keep an eye out for updates and activities in the winter.
Brownies Soft Ball Festival
On the 12th July at King William's College 23 girls split into four teams from Peel 1st Brownies, 1st Malew Brownies, Ballasalla Brownies and 2nd Castletown Brownies as well as the South and East girls played in an all girl's soft ball festival. Three games of cricket were played over the evening with the standard improving each game. A very fun and enjoyable evening of cricket!!
Jen Gilbert Peel 1st Brownies
'Thank you so much for tonight! The girls loved it! My daughter was very nervous at the start but soon got into it. She has declared how much she enjoyed it. She has taken her dad and brother out to play with her new bat and ball. Thanks again!'
Jen Gilbert Peel 1st Brownies
'Thank you so much for tonight! The girls loved it! My daughter was very nervous at the start but soon got into it. She has declared how much she enjoyed it. She has taken her dad and brother out to play with her new bat and ball. Thanks again!'
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Soft Ball Cricket for Girlguiding Groups
The Isle of Man Cricket Association has joined forces with Girlguiding in the Isle of Man. Girlguiding Isle of Man is the island's largest voluntary youth organisation comprising 65 groups catering for ages from 5 years to 26 years. Girlguiding IOM includes Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years), Rangers (14-18 years) and the Senior Section (14-25 years).
Each of the Girlguiding groups across the Isle of Man will be offered a free soft ball cricket taster session to help promote girls cricket across the island. So far it has proven to be very popular!
Each of the Girlguiding groups across the Isle of Man will be offered a free soft ball cricket taster session to help promote girls cricket across the island. So far it has proven to be very popular!
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Record Breaking Finch Hill Festival
Six teams and over 50 women and girls of varying ages played in the Finch Hill soft ball festival on Saturday 6th July. There were teams from Ramsey CC, Ramsey Hockey Club, Cronkbourne CC and a combined Finch Hill CC and Castletown CC. There was some excellent cricket played with a number close games. Thanks to all the players and to Finch Hill CC for hosting and providing such a lovely tea.
The evening before also saw the first all girls team play in the Finch Hill kwik cricket festival. The south and east girl's have been training on a Tuesday evening at King William's College and improved significantly over the festival. Well done girls!!
The evening before also saw the first all girls team play in the Finch Hill kwik cricket festival. The south and east girl's have been training on a Tuesday evening at King William's College and improved significantly over the festival. Well done girls!!
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Crosby Women and Girl's Soft Ball Festival
The first women and girl's soft ball festival took place at Crosby Cricket Club (Marown Playing Fields) on Saturday 15th June. Two teams made up of 19 players of various ages played two matches with a tea break in between. Lots of boundaries, wickets and catches were taken in amongst the laughter. Every player got to bat for up to 18 balls per pair and everyone bowled at least one over per game either underarm or over arm. At the end everyone received their free Cric Start bat and ball set and hoodie or t shirt.
Ruth Ward (cricketing mum and wife and first time player) said -
'I have watched my sons and husband play cricket for many years but was a complete novice when it came to playing. The festival was a perfect environment and opportunity to 'give it a go'! It was a really fun atmosphere with friendly and supportive women and girls (with Sally having her work cut out keeping us on track!) The sun came out, we were treated to a lovely cricket tea and much to my surprise I even managed a catch!! I would encourage people to come along and join in - you will certainly be made to feel very welcome and I'm sure you'll have a really enjoyable afternoon.'
Ruth Ward (cricketing mum and wife and first time player) said -
'I have watched my sons and husband play cricket for many years but was a complete novice when it came to playing. The festival was a perfect environment and opportunity to 'give it a go'! It was a really fun atmosphere with friendly and supportive women and girls (with Sally having her work cut out keeping us on track!) The sun came out, we were treated to a lovely cricket tea and much to my surprise I even managed a catch!! I would encourage people to come along and join in - you will certainly be made to feel very welcome and I'm sure you'll have a really enjoyable afternoon.'
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Women and Girls' Cricket Opportunities for 2019
The women and girls' game is one of the fastest growing areas of cricket in the world. In 2019 the Isle of Man Cricket Association will be targeting the growth of women and girl's cricket on the Isle of Man. The IOMCA are looking to develop women and girl's cricket from grass roots level right through to the senior national side.
Schools
A key component of developing the women and girl's game is through school delivery. This involves offering coaching and teacher training within both primary and secondary schools and facilitating competitions.
The IOMCA have already been delivering free cricket sessions in primary schools across the Isle of Man since 2015 and run a boys and girls and girls only PSSP festival. This year soft ball cricket will be offered within secondary school PE games sessions for girls for the first time.
Soft Ball Cricket
This year the IOMCA will be offering a brand new soft ball cricket initiative for women and girls of all ages.
Soft ball cricket provides a fun, sociable and relaxed environment, where participants are able to develop their skills, socialise with friends and have lots of fun!
The soft ball cricket festivals will begin in May and continue throughout the summer. There will be opportunities for the U11s and U13s to train throughout the summer to help them prepare for their festivals.
Representative Cricket
The IOMCA are looking to develop performance squads at age group levels to in time mirror the opportunities in the IOMCA boy's pathway. For senior and U19 level the aim is to compete on a national scale and enter World Cup qualifiers in the future.
An U15 girl's development squad will be selected to train in the winter 2019/20.
The IOMCA can offer -
Schools
A key component of developing the women and girl's game is through school delivery. This involves offering coaching and teacher training within both primary and secondary schools and facilitating competitions.
The IOMCA have already been delivering free cricket sessions in primary schools across the Isle of Man since 2015 and run a boys and girls and girls only PSSP festival. This year soft ball cricket will be offered within secondary school PE games sessions for girls for the first time.
Soft Ball Cricket
This year the IOMCA will be offering a brand new soft ball cricket initiative for women and girls of all ages.
Soft ball cricket provides a fun, sociable and relaxed environment, where participants are able to develop their skills, socialise with friends and have lots of fun!
The soft ball cricket festivals will begin in May and continue throughout the summer. There will be opportunities for the U11s and U13s to train throughout the summer to help them prepare for their festivals.
Representative Cricket
The IOMCA are looking to develop performance squads at age group levels to in time mirror the opportunities in the IOMCA boy's pathway. For senior and U19 level the aim is to compete on a national scale and enter World Cup qualifiers in the future.
An U15 girl's development squad will be selected to train in the winter 2019/20.
The IOMCA can offer -
- Teacher training
- Equipment
- 3 free days of girl's cricket coaching in secondary school PE lessons
- The organisation and running of a secondary schools soft ball cricket festival
- A pathway into clubs and Isle of Man representative squads
- The opportunity to represent their country on a world scale