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Girls smash boundaries as Woodbank Cricket Club launches first ever under-9s team

Thursday, 5 June 2025 16:59

By David Murphy

Woodbank Girls' U9s team

A Bury cricket club has launched its first ever girls only team, and it’s already winning matches and attracting fresh talent to the sport.

Woodbank Cricket Club, based on Stafford Street in Brandlesholme, has introduced an under 9s girls’ team for the 2025 season after a surge in interest from young players. The team competes in the Greater Manchester Cricket League and has had an impressive start, winning several early matches.

The move follows growing participation in the club’s Friday night sessions, where the number of girls taking part prompted coaches to form a dedicated side.

Olivia Kay, who grew up playing for Woodbank and now serves as Director of Women and Girls on the GMCL board, continues to represent the club’s second team. She also coaches the junior teams and is spearheading a new drive to bring more girls into the sport.

“I’ve waited a long time to see other girls playing at Woodbank and it’s fantastic to see so many coming along every week to learn new skills,” said Olivia. “The girls’ team are absolutely smashing it this season and having fun in the process.”

The club is also running a Dynamos Cricket programme in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), starting this Friday, 6 June. Open to girls aged 8 to 11, the six-week course runs from 6.30pm to 8pm and builds confidence through weekly skills sessions, finishing with a 60-ball countdown match.

The sessions are free of charge thanks to club sponsorship, with trained members delivering the coaching. Anyone wishing to join can message the club on social media for a voucher code and sign-up link.

Now in its 90th year, Woodbank recently hosted its first-ever Prosecco Cricket tournament – an event aimed at encouraging women who had never played the game before. Thirty players took to the field in what Olivia described as another step forward in making the club more inclusive.

“Cricket has given me so many opportunities,” she said. “This is an exciting new era for Woodbank Cricket Club and I can’t wait to welcome more girls to the game.”

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