The inaugural edition of the Women’s Vitality T20 Blast is putting women’s cricket centre stage up and down the country, and marks a major milestone in closing the gender play gap.
As part of the plan to revolutionise women’s cricket in England and Wales implemented this summer, the Vitality Blast has taken the women’s game another step in the right direction. According to the PCA, there has been a 538 per cent increase in the number of professional female cricketers in England and Wales since 2020, and the Vitality T20 Blast is helping to create new role models to pave the way for future players.
Research by Vitality shows now is the time to inspire the next generation to close the gender play gap further, with the research finding that one million teenage girls who once considered themselves ‘sporty’ disengage with sport following primary school, citing fears of feeling judged by others, lack of confidence and not feeling safe outside. Research by Vitality also found that just four per cent of women take part in team sport, and fewer than one in four UK women meet the NHS recommended physical activity guidelines.
The latest episode of Vitality's YouTube series – Changing the Game, which champions progress in sport – follows host and Vitality ambassador Isa Guha, as she sits down with professional cricketers Phoebe Graham, Freya Davies, Mady Villiers, Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of the Women’s Professional Game at the England and Wales Cricket Board, and grassroot players, to discuss how the gender play gap is narrowing – and how Vitality is helping in driving that momentum.
“The Vitality Blast will be significant for women’s cricket, marking a major step forward in the sport’s development” said Guha. “[The Blast] is part of a broader movement to increase visibility, professionalism and reach.”
Hampshire and England all-rounder Davies said: “It’s exciting to be on the same stage as the boys and show them what we can do.”
One of the most powerful features of the Vitality Blast is a raft of brand new double-header fixtures, which help to instil a ‘two teams, one club’ mentality at counties across the country. Putting women’s cricket on a bigger stage through double-header games not only raises its visibility, but also helps to redefine what’s possible for women in sport.
Women’s Blast Finals Day is also another step in the right direction. While the men’s Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston has long been one of the marquee days in the English cricket calendar each year, the first Women’s Blast Finals Day at The Oval will give women’s players their own space on the biggest stage.
“The ambition for women’s cricket is for it to be as big, bold and brilliant as it possibly can be,” said Barret-Wild. “We want to see sold out crowds, people really falling in love with the players, with the game, and really caring about women’s cricket.”
To see all of what Vitality are doing in cricket, find out more at www.vitalitycricket.co.uk.
