Essex Cricket Awarded Tier One Professional Women’s Team Status for 2025 Season

Essex Cricket have been given a major boost with the news that they have successfully secured Tier One professional women’s team status starting from the 2025 season. This exciting development comes after the ECB ratified the bids of Essex, along with Durham, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, and Warwickshire.

John Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer at Essex Cricket, expressed his delight at the opportunity to host a Tier One side, emphasizing the club’s commitment to empowering and promoting women and girls in sport. The bid received crucial support from key organizations and partnerships, including the University of Essex and various cricket boards in the region.

The awarding of Tier One status opens up a world of possibilities for Essex Cricket, as they aim to make a significant impact on the growth of women’s cricket in the UK. The club is eager to collaborate with stakeholders to achieve their goals and drive positive change in the sport.

Prisha Bedi, Essex Women’s 2023 Young Player of the Year, hailed the decision as a watershed moment for sport in the region, highlighting the benefits it will bring to her generation of players. The commitment shown by the ECB to women and girls’ sport is commendable, and Essex’s new status as a Tier One county has sparked excitement for the future.

Dr. Dave Parry, Director of Sport at the University of Essex, described the award as a significant moment and outlined plans to enhance women’s cricket through sports science research and collaboration with elite-level teams. The university aims to establish the region as a leader in women’s sport and is eager to kickstart this mission.

Overall, the news of Essex Cricket’s Tier One status is a game-changer for women’s cricket in the UK, and the club is ready to embrace this opportunity and drive positive change in the sport.