As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) reflects on the remarkable growth of women and girls’ cricket across the Union. We are proud to recognise the outstanding women whose leadership, dedication and achievements continue to elevate the women’s and girls’ game throughout the province.
Grassroots & Participation
Sustainable growth is built through grassroots programmes that create welcoming environments for girls to begin their cricket journey.
In 2021, the NCU implemented Cricket Ireland’s girls-only participation initiative, It’s Wicket! The programme has since been embraced by a number of clubs, helping to create new entry points into the game.
Waringstown have been a standout example of how It’s Wicket! can transform a club’s women’s section. Moving beyond a senior 1st XI, the club used the initiative to deliver sessions in local schools and building relationships. That work culminated in an It’s Wicket! programme hosted at the club in 2024, leading to significant membership growth and a more sustainable female section.
Along with Waringstown, other clubs pioneered women’s cricket such as CSNI, North Down and Lurgan.
Holywood and Lisburn have also led the way in girls’ grassroots programmes, with Holywood building a thriving youth section with hundreds of girls involved in youth cricket over recent years. Their commitment demonstrates what is possible when proper opportunity is available and then promoted.
Lisburn have showcased the strength of youth development by winning four All-Ireland youth competitions in the past three years which is proof that with structures and coaching in place, clubs can compete and succeed at the highest level across Ireland.
Schools Development
Schools cricket has also taken a major step forward, with the 2025 summer term delivering the most extensive programme to date. Through the Girls Schools Development Programme, the NCU supported 15 schools with targeted coaching blocks, participation festivals and entry-level performance opportunities, creating a structured journey from softball through to hardball cricket.
The growth of Super 8s festivals, the introduction of new T10 hardball competitions, and the expansion of the Schools Cup structure have all helped establish meaningful competition and increased the depth of talent emerging from schools.
A Saturday Schools League further demonstrated the appetite for regular, competitive cricket. This rising engagement is already strengthening club links and feeding directly into the performance pathway, with a growing number of school players now progressing into winter training groups and interprovincial cricket.
Talent & Development Pathway
Mass participation delivered with quality coaching creates talent. In recent years, this has allowed the NCU performance pathway to expand significantly.
We now operate a structured talent squad at every age group from Under 13 through to Under 23. Beneath those squads, our partnership with the MCC Foundation has strengthened our development pathway, enabling us to offer additional development groups and broadening access to performance opportunities.
Only a few years ago, we offered opportunity for three representative age groups which has evolved into a menu of opportunities supporting a growing number of girls across the province. We now have eight female winter groups training which mirrors the boys pathway.
Two landmark moments have helped accelerate this progress. The securing of Carson McDowell as a focused pathway sponsor has allowed us to launch initiatives such as our Emerging Players Programme and deliver a recent tour to Cape Town for our Under 16 and Under 18 squads, providing experiences that shape cricketers and young people.
High Performance and International Recognition
At the top of the performance pyramid, we welcome the continued growth of women’s competitions under Cricket Ireland, including the establishment of the Future Series. This interprovincial senior structure provides meaningful competition for the provincial unions.
For young players progressing through our pathway, a career is in sight. Players such as Amy Hunter and Cara Murray demonstrate that a pathway can lead to international careers. Cara’s recent achievement of 100 senior international caps is a milestone not only for her, but for the wider NCU community that has supported her journey.
Domestic Club Cricket
Underpinning both grassroots participation and representative honours is an expanding club structure.
In 2021, just four clubs were competing in senior women’s cricket. As we approach the 2026 season, that number has grown to 26 senior teams. At youth level, 30 club teams now participate in local competitions, strengthening the base of our club pyramid.
In January, we were delighted to announce Mercury Security & Facilities Management as our new senior league sponsor. Their support comes at a time of expansion, with Section 1 increasing by two additional teams for 2026.
Gallagher Insurance have been a valued partner for over a decade and played a crucial role in growing our senior cup competitions. The competition now operates across three tiers, with the addition of a Challenge Bowl and Challenge Plate, ensuring meaningful cricket at every level.
Volunteers, Coaches, and Staff
Growth on this scale requires vision, organisation and a workforce.
In 2023, we established the NCU Women’s Domestic Cricket Committee as a sub-committee of our Domestic Cricket Directorate. Led by Sarah Rountree and including representation from each senior women’s club, the committee ensures the women’s game has a strong and unified voice shaping its future.
We are also proud of the female representation within our Board of Directors. Sarah Rountree, Rachael Thomas and Rosemary Bryans have played vital roles in safeguarding and strengthening cricket across the province.
Our staff and coaching team has grown in line with the increasing demand across the women and girls’ game. In 2017, the NCU appointed Angela Platt as its first General Manager, a landmark moment for the organisation. Angela made a considerable impact in breaking barriers within the women and girls’ game and helped lay important foundations for the progress we see today. Angela continues to lead the way in Northern Irish sport as the Director of Women’s Football with the IFA.
Finance Officer Sharon Crossan has long been a steady and invaluable presence within NCU cricket, contributing significantly to the local game behind the scenes. More recently, we welcomed Programmes Coordinator Emma McMurray, whose energy and commitment have already made a positive impact in her first months in post.
Demonstrating our commitment to the female game, we appointed a full-time Women & Girls Pathway Lead. James Cameron-Dow helped elevate the programme before progressing to the Irish Senior team setup, with Jonathan Waite now continuing to develop and strengthen the pathway while supporting other key areas of delivery.
It’s important to recognise other influential people, such as Helen McConaghey, who has an exceptional reputation as an international scorer. Sandi Harrison, Staci Maxwell, Charlotte Lyons, and Amy Caulfield also deserve credit for their volunteering, playing, and driving of standards.
As we celebrate today, we also recognise the women who paved the way. Through our Hall of Fame, we have proudly inducted Donna Armstrong, who is the current President of Cricket Ireland, and Anne Linehan, acknowledging their outstanding contributions and lasting impact on the game.
Participation is rising. Pathways are stronger. Competitions are expanding. Role models are visible. Dedicated volunteers and staff are driving change, but we need more clubs to establish women and girls’ sections. We need more volunteers, coaches and officials to step forward. We need to continue creating welcoming environments where every girl feels cricket is a game for her.