🌍 International Women’s Day 2026 #GiveToGain

Across Wales, women and girls are not just playing cricket — they are transforming it.

This year’s theme, #GiveToGain, couldn’t be more fitting.

Because across our clubs, we see it every day:

💜 Giving time → building confidence
🏏 Giving opportunities → creating pathways
🤝 Giving support → growing communities
🌱 Giving belief → unlocking potential

From players rediscovering their voice, to clubs celebrating historic firsts, to girls stepping onto the field for the very first time — the impact goes far beyond the boundary.

These stories show that when we invest in women and girls, everyone gains — stronger clubs, stronger communities, and a stronger game.

💭 And this is just the beginning.

👉 Let’s keep giving. Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep accelerating action.

#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #AccelerateAction #HerGameToo #CricketWales #WomensCricket #GirlsCricket #SportForAll

Rogie Rebels (Rogerstone Welfare) player Claire Rees

As International Women’s Day arrives, I feel myself becoming unexpectedly emotional thinking about my cricket journey — how it began quietly, how it has slowly woven itself into my identity, and how profoundly it has shaped the way I see myself and the world around me.

Cricket has been more than a job or a sport to me.
It has been a place where I’ve grown, healed, and learned to trust my own voice.
A place where I have rediscovered confidence I thought I’d lost.
A place where I’ve seen how powerful it is when women and girls are given space to simply be themselves.

There have been moments in this journey that have stayed with me — moments that caught me off guard. Watching a young girl step onto the field with nervous excitement. Seeing a woman volunteer with pride shining through her. Feeling the warmth of a community that shows up for one another. Each of those moments has touched me deeply, reminding me that what I’m part of is bigger than any role title or task list.

In quiet ways, cricket has held up a mirror to me.
It’s shown me resilience I didn’t know I had.
It’s helped me recognise my own worth, even when I doubted it.
And it’s taught me that supporting others — even from behind the scenes — can be one of the most powerful forms of impact.

I’ve learned that you don’t have to be the loudest or the most visible to make a difference. Sometimes impact is gentle. Sometimes it’s steady and unspoken. Sometimes it’s simply showing up, caring, and wanting the best for the women and girls who trust this sport to give them a place to belong.

Cricket has given me a sense of purpose that goes beyond day-to-day work.
It has given me community.
It has given me pride.
And it has helped me grow into someone who values her own journey as much as she values the journeys of the people around her.

So today — on a day that celebrates women everywhere — I’m celebrating the part cricket has played in helping me become who I am. I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, the confidence I’ve found, and the sense of meaning this path continues to bring into my life.

And as I look forward, I carry with me a deep hope:
that I can keep contributing, keep learning, and keep supporting the women and girls whose courage, joy, and strength have inspired me every step of the way.

Newport Fugettes (Newport Fugitives)

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women and girls of Newport Fugitives Cricket Club and the powerful impact they continue to make on and off the field.

Women’s cricket at the club has grown into something truly transformative. In a historic first, the Club Person of the Year award (traditionally presented to a man) was awarded to a woman, recognising the leadership, dedication and influence women now bring across the club, including at committee level where their voices help shape its future.

For our Fugettes, cricket has become a source of pride, achievement and belonging, creating not just teammates, but a strong, supportive community.

Most importantly, they are showing the next generation of girls that there is a clear place for them in cricket.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their progress, their leadership and the lasting change they are driving.

Radyr CC

At Radyr Cricket Club, women’s and girls’ cricket is a thriving and supportive community. From young girls starting their journey in the game, to senior players competing and leading teams, the club provides a clear pathway and strong role models at every stage.

The growth of the women’s section reflects the dedication of players, coaches and volunteers who continue to build something special both on and off the field. Beyond the results, cricket at Radyr has created lasting friendships and strengthened wellbeing across the club.

Lydia Clements the club’s Women’s Captain said: “Being a part of this team is about more than the cricket being played on the pitch. We support each other and we celebrate each other. The growth of the women’s game here has been incredible to see, and we’re proud to be inspiring the next generation of girls at Radyr.”

Ruthin CC

Laying the foundations from the first U12 girls cricket team in Ruthin, with years of hardwork to follow,  the summer of 2025, saw Ruthin’s U14 team make their debut in the soft ball league in North Wales. The girls had a fantastic summer, learning lots individually whilst developing team skills. Under the leadership and support of the club’s coaches, all the girls have had the opportunity to flourish, playing in the summer soft ball league, participating in festivals as well as one member of their team starting their journey into pathway cricket.

This member has been an inspiration to many including myself. Through the support of the club, coaches, and her team members, Catrin has flourished supporting U13, girls U14, U15 and seniors cricket. In fact,  making history with her father to be the first club Father-Daughter pairing in a senior’s match at the end of last season! Her efforts have seen Catrin being awarded the Club Coaches player of the year award in 2025 and 2024. Catrin continues to contribute to the develop of girls and women’s cricket.

Ruthin CC girls and women’s cricket continues to develop at pace. In order to provide a pathway for girls within the club to develop, this winter season, the club welcomed the first Ladies soft ball team. The team was formed by existing club members player, relatives, supporters and but also welcomes new members from our local community. It is truly wonderful to see the enthusiasm and drive for this new team.

Despite limited experience the Ladies team has entered the indoor league with the enthusiasm, drive and truly embracing the ‘spirit of cricket’.

It has been wonderful to see the younger girl cricketers be the source of inspiration and provide support to all the ladies involved. Demonstrating that age is not a boundary and that there is part for all of us to play. Girls and womens cricket at Ruthin showcases the true gains to be had from sportsmanship and collborative working.

Ruthin CC has shown that to ‘give is to gain’ and through the support of the club I am excited to be part of future of girls and womens cricket at grass roots level.