Counties hosting professional women’s cricket teams will be under strict scrutiny to guarantee that the England and Wales Cricket Board’s substantial investment, totaling millions, is utilized effectively to promote gender equality in the sport, as emphasized by Beth Barrett-Wild, the ECB’s director of the women’s professional game.
Failing to create an equitable environment could jeopardize their funding, Barrett-Wild warned. To further this initiative, a national player and staff survey is set to be implemented, aiming to facilitate whistleblowing and ensure that the £1.5 million allocated to ten first-class counties is being appropriately directed and utilized.
Eight counties have emerged victorious in a competitive selection process to host professional tier one women’s teams in the upcoming season, including Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, and Warwickshire. Additionally, Yorkshire and Glamorgan will join the ranks in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The Carney Review conducted in 2023 highlighted challenges faced by other sports regarding the adequate allocation of funding intended for women’s sporting endeavors, revealing that resources designated for women’s football had often been redirected to benefit the men’s game. Consequently, there are concerns regarding the ECB’s ability to hold first-class counties accountable for their commitments made during the bidding process.
However, the newly established County Partnership Agreement (CPA), effective from 1 February, will grant the ECB unprecedented authority over the treatment of women’s teams within these counties. “This isn’t us just giving them a big cheque,” Barrett-Wild stated firmly. “The funding is specifically allocated to the women’s programme, and we will maintain rigorous oversight on its expenditure. I will know precisely how every single pound is being spent. Any discrepancies would trigger a non-compliance event, allowing us to pursue the withdrawal or suspension of funding.”
The treatment of women’s cricket will be a “key agenda item” in the County Partnership Review Process, Barrett-Wild elaborated, as all areas of county activity will be audited to ensure parity between women’s and men’s teams. “For tier one counties, the operational standards and delivery for their men’s team will be required to mirror those in place for their women’s team,” she affirmed.
“The standard of facility that the women’s team will be playing at must be the same as that of their male counterparts. Equal levels of coverage across all marketing channels are mandatory for both teams,” she continued. “The new women’s player and staff survey will provide us with substantial insights into those tier one and tier two dressing room environments.”
A novel player movement framework will enable athletes to transition between tier one (professional), tier two (semi-professional), and tier three (recreational) counties through a loan system. However, any player ascending to tier one must be under contract.
Meanwhile, England’s players are anticipated to be available for the initial weeks of the Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup slated for May, as well as the inaugural Women’s Vitality Blast Finals Day scheduled for 27 July. Barrett-Wild emphasized the importance of aligning the domestic schedule with the England Women’s timeline to create more opportunities for players.
She described England’s disappointing early exit from the T20 World Cup, eliminated by the West Indies, as a setback but remained optimistic that the restructuring of the domestic game would foster greater depth in English women’s cricket.
“It pushes me to aim for a robust flow of talent coming through the ranks so that real competition for places will emerge,” she asserted. “While we may experience some initial growing pains during this implementation phase, by 2028, the depth of the women’s game will significantly improve.”
How does the County Partnership Agreement aim to promote gender parity in women’s and men’s cricket?
**Interview with Beth Barrett-Wild, ECB’s Director of the Women’s Professional Game**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Beth! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the England and Wales Cricket Board’s significant investment in women’s cricket. There’s a lot of excitement and scrutiny surrounding how these funds will be utilized. Can you tell us about the importance of this investment and what it means for promoting gender equality in the sport?
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** Thank you for having me! This investment is vital not only for the growth of women’s cricket but also to ensure that we create an equitable environment in the sport. With millions being allocated specifically for women’s teams, it’s essential that these funds are properly directed and efficiently used. We believe that by holding counties accountable, we can help foster an environment where women’s cricket receives the same attention and resources as men’s cricket.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned scrutiny. What measures will the ECB take to ensure that counties uphold their commitments and utilize the funds appropriately?
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** We are implementing a national player and staff survey to facilitate whistleblowing and gather insights on how well these initiatives are being executed. Additionally, we have established the County Partnership Agreement (CPA), which gives us unprecedented oversight. We will monitor the expenditure closely, and any discrepancies could lead to serious consequences, including the withdrawal of funding. It’s about making sure that every single penny is spent in the best possible way for the women’s program.
**Interviewer:** The audit process sounds rigorous. Can you explain how the CPA will help in achieving gender parity within these counties?
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** Definitely. The CPA will ensure that the treatment of women’s teams is not an afterthought but rather a key agenda item in the County Partnership Review Process. We will audit all areas of county activities to ensure parity between the men’s and women’s teams. Our goal is to elevate the operational standards for women’s cricket to those of the men’s game, which has historically received more support and funding.
**Interviewer:** Eight counties are set to host professional tier one women’s teams, with more joining later. How crucial is this competitive selection process for these counties?
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** The competitive selection process is fundamental to our strategy. It allows us to identify counties that are genuinely committed to women’s cricket. The eight counties selected—such as Durham, Essex, and Lancashire—are expected to lead by example. Furthermore, with Yorkshire and Glamorgan coming on board in the next couple of years, we are expanding our reach and impact, which will only benefit women’s cricket further.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, the Carney Review pointed out some challenges around funding allocations in women’s sports historically. How does the ECB aim to address these concerns?
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** The Carney Review highlighted critical issues, and we take these insights seriously. By establishing clear guidelines and maintaining stringent oversight through the CPA, we aim to avoid past pitfalls. This isn’t just about giving out a large cheque; it’s about ensuring a sustainable future for women’s cricket where accountability and transparency are non-negotiable. We are committed to making a difference and being held accountable for the outcomes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Beth, for sharing these insights. It’s exciting to see such a commitment to promoting gender equality in cricket.
**Beth Barrett-Wild:** Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the positive changes ahead for women’s cricket.
