Cricket Scotland has announced the names of nine (9) women cricketers who have been awarded professional contracts. This marks a significant milestone for women’s cricket in Scotland as they have received professional contracts for the first time in history. The announcement came in November 2022, and the selection process was conducted in February and March of this year.
The duration of the contracts will be from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Moreover, both men and women cricketers will continue to receive equal match fees, a practice that has been in place since 2021. This is a welcome move towards creating a more equitable playing field for all cricketers, regardless of gender.
Toby Bailey, Cricket Scotland’s Interim Head of Performance, expressed his delight on the occasion, saying, “We are thrilled to announce this year’s contracts, and for women’s cricket in Scotland, in particular, this really is a landmark moment.
Great move by Scotland Cricket 🏴👏
Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Loran Jack, Megan McColl, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister, Orla Montgomery, Hannah Rainey, and Ellen Watson have earned professional contracts.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/iGmYePpeMX
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 10, 2023
“Given the rapid growth of women’s cricket across the world, promotion and investment in the women’s game in Scotland is now a cornerstone of the strategy for the organization, and today’s news is a big step on the road to ensuring that cricket in Scotland is fair and inclusive for all.”
The women’s contracts were awarded to Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister, Megan McColl, Orla Montgomery, Hannah Rainey, and Ellen Watson. These players have showcased their talent through their past performances, and Cricket Scotland believes that they will make significant contributions to the women’s game in the country.
Overall, this move by Cricket Scotland is a step towards creating more opportunities for women in the sport and promoting inclusivity in cricket. With this announcement, Cricket Scotland takes a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable playing field for all cricketers.
(Quote sourced from ICC)
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and having played cricket professionally for my state team, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the world of sports. With an eye for detail and passion for sports, I’m hoping to make a lasting impact in the sports industry.