A professional Bears Women’s team will join Warwickshire from next season after the Club won its bid for one of eight sides that will play in a new national structure.
Earlier this year the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a multi-million pound plan to expand women’s cricket with the introduction of a three-tier system featuring eight fully professional sides. Clubs were invited to pitch for one of the eight Tier 1 teams – and the ECB has now revealed one of those will be based at Edgbaston.
Chief Executive Stuart Cain said the move is an important milestone for women’s cricket nationally and in the region. He added: “This is brilliant news and gives the region a top level women’s Bears team on a par with Aston Villa women in top level football. More importantly, it will inspire future generations of girls to pursue a career in cricket and bring new fans to the sport. “We’ve passionately supported women’s cricket for a number of years and seen some of the biggest crowds in women’s cricket at Edgbaston for last year’s Ashes and before that the Commonwealth Games. “In fact, we go back even further, working with Wolverhampton’s Rachael Heyhoe-Flint to hold the first ever Women’s World Cup at Edgbaston in the 1970s.
“We also brought together the first ever all-women grounds team for last year’s Ashes game as part of our Edgbaston for Everyone pledge”.
“Not only is this an exciting move for existing players, but inspirational for girls in our county age groups. They now have a clear path through our excellent youth and Academy systems into professional cricket and hopefully beyond to international cricket”.
