Australian Cricket Launches Women and Girls Action Plan to Drive Growth and Inclusivity in Cricket
Australian Cricket has taken a monumental step towards advancing the women’s game with the launch of its Women and Girls Action Plan. This plan aims to propel cricket to the forefront of the women’s sports revolution by driving significant increases in participation, audiences, commercial revenue, and representation over the next decade.
Key features of the plan include increased investment in female-friendly infrastructure, grassroots programs, player payments, and competitions. The goal is to enhance all aspects of cricket for women and girls, with a major focus on filling stadiums and growing viewing audiences for women’s internationals and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
One of the exciting developments is the introduction of a new domestic women’s T20 competition, which will provide additional high-performance opportunities for domestic players. This new competition will also raise the average female domestic player salary to $163,322 by 2024-25, an increase of 8% from the previous year.
The plan also includes clear goals to be reached by 2034, such as increasing total revenue from women’s cricket to $121 million and winning gold medals at the 2028 and 2032 Olympics. Australian player Ellyse Perry expressed her excitement about the plan, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in women’s cricket.
With the success of recent events like the T20 World Cup final, which drew a record attendance of 86,174 fans, there is a growing appetite for women’s cricket. The Women and Girls Action Plan aims to capitalize on this momentum and ensure that women’s cricket continues to thrive in Australia.
Overall, the plan has received widespread support from key figures in Australian cricket, including CA Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley and ACA Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg. The Albanese Labor Government has also expressed its commitment to supporting women in sport and ensuring equitable opportunities for all athletes.
As the women’s game continues to grow and evolve, the Women and Girls Action Plan sets a clear path for the future of cricket in Australia, promising exciting opportunities and advancements for female players at all levels.