Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club hosted 22 teams from across the region last week for the biggest women and girls cricket festival North Yorkshire has ever seen.
Knaresborough hosts county's biggest ever cricket festival for women and girls Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club members were joined by 22 teams from across the region for the biggest women and girls cricket festival North Yorkshire has ever seen. The event took place at the club’s home ground the Calcutt Oval on Sunday (25th June), with around 200 participants playing a series of short-format softball matches. Softball is a fun, fast-paced version of the game, suitable for all ages and abilities. Rachel Hildreth, Women and Girls Cricket Development Manager (North & East Yorkshire) at the Yorkshire Cricket Board, said:
"The day was an incredible success, and I was particularly impressed with how the club showcased their sense of community."[caption id="attachment_68809" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Series of short-cricket matches at Calcutt Oval on Sunday.[/caption] Bella Simpson, who plays for Ouseburn CC U15s, said:
"It was so nice to see so many other girls enjoy cricket and be able to get the opportunity to play it."KFCC’s chairman David Alloway echoed the praise, adding:
"I couldn't be prouder of the whole club and the direction it is going in. We are inclusive and family orientated, which has led to increasing membership of our junior and senior groups. "The tournament on Sunday was a fantastic opportunity to welcome girls and women from around North Yorkshire to our club."The club’s female squad ‘The Willows’ was founded in 2021 and now has 22 players. They currently play in the Hambleton Women's Soft Ball Cricket League. One of the team’s founding players, Hilary O’Callaghan said:
"The Willows started as a group of mums who watched our kids play. To see how far we've come with hard work, training and lots of laughs is amazing. "I would say to any girl or woman who's thinking about stepping onto the pitch, just go for it. You'll learn a new skill, make great friends and be part of a wonderful cricket community."[caption id="attachment_68808" align="aligncenter" width="816"] The Willows following a recent match victory.[/caption] The club, which was recently awarded the prestigious English Cricket Board Clubmark accreditation, also has 4 senior men's teams plus several junior teams. They are also in their 7th season running the ECB's All Stars Programme for 5–8-year-old boys and girls. To find out more about getting involved visit their website here. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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