Lancashire Cricket joins forces with #HerGameToo campaign
Lancashire Cricket has become the latest Club to join forces with the #HerGameToo campaign - which aims to raise awareness of sexist abuse within sport.
The fan-led, voluntary organisation focuses on ensuring women and girls are welcomed and respected equally within sport. #HerGameToo was first launched in May 2021 and has since partnered with dozens of professional football clubs including Leeds United and Everton and First-Class counties Gloucestershire CCC and Somerset CCC.
By partnering with #HerGameToo alongside Thunder, the women’s cricket team representing the North West and the Club’s Foundation, Lancashire Cricket aims to ensure cricket is a game for everyone and that all females feel Emirates Old Trafford is a safe and inclusive venue to come and watch their teams in action.
Lancashire Cricket stands against all forms of sexist abuse and is committed to campaigning against all types of discrimination in sport, including cricket. Sexist abuse or harassment will not be tolerated at Emirates Old Trafford and by working closely with the #HerGameToo campaign, we aim to create a safe, inclusive environment for all our players and supporters.
In addition to working with the #HerGameToo campaign, Lancashire Cricket has also recently launched its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) framework to assist the Club with its ongoing journey in ensuring that cricket in Lancashire is a game for all. You can read our EDI framework in full, by clicking here.
It has been a landmark year for women’s cricket in the region, which started back in March when history was made as Lancashire Cricket’s men’s team and Thunder toured Dubai together. The tour was held in preparation for the start of the 2022 season and was the first joint men’s and women’s pre-season tour ever undertaken by a first-class county.
The momentum continued with Thunder headlining a day of T20 action at Emirates Old Trafford in June with Thunder hosting Southern Vipers under the floodlights at 7pm, after Lancashire Lightning had faced Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast at 3pm as a precursor to the Charlotte Edwards Cup clash.
By the end of the 2022 season, Thunder will have played four matches at Emirates Old Trafford – two T20 doubleheaders, followed by two standalone 50-over matches in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy – more than in any other season, as Lancashire Cricket commits to growing the women’s game and increasing its exposure in the North West.
#HerGameToo Ambassador for Lancashire Cricket and Thunder, Paige Caunce, said: “As a Lancashire Cricket and Thunder supporter, I am incredibly proud that the county as a whole is partnering with the #HerGameToo campaign and taking such a strong stance against any form of discrimination.
“Lancashire have been making huge strides in the women and girls’ game from grassroots to senior levels and we, at #HerGameToo, cannot wait to work together to empower players throughout the county as well as making match day experiences more welcoming. Cricket is a wonderful sport that should be accessible to and enjoyed by all.”
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of Lancashire Cricket said: “We are delighted to partner with the #HerGameToo campaign and pledge our support to help stamp out sexist abuse in cricket.
“Lancashire Cricket will work closely with #HerGameToo to raise awareness around their key messages whilst also engaging in an open dialect with members of the campaign to ensure that Emirates Old Trafford can be a safe space for women, and indeed all our visitors, at all times.
“This has been a landmark year for the Club, with Thunder joining us on a pre-season tour for the first time before headlining a T20 doubleheader at Emirates Old Trafford. This is just the start for us and we are excited by the potential for even further growth of the women’s game in Lancashire and across the North West in the years to come.”
Ellie Threlkeld, Thunder Cricket Captain also commented: “The support which Thunder has received from Lancashire Cricket over the years has been fantastic, but particularly this year to have the opportunity to tour Dubai, which was a first for a lot of our squad, has really brought us closer to the Club and we are all excited by what the future holds.
“It’s been brilliant to have four fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford this summer and, in addition to this, the Club has also converted the away changing rooms into our own changing room, so it really feels like we are at home now when playing at the venue.
“The work being done by #HerGameToo is another gamechanger for women’s sport and we are looking forward to supporting the campaign and the amazing work which they are doing.”
Jen Barden, Cricket Development Manager for the Lancashire Cricket Foundation added: “Emirates Old Trafford is not only home to Lancashire Cricket but also our professional women’s team, Thunder, who are perfect role models for women and girls who want to play cricket in the North West.
“We firmly believe cricket is a game for all and we want to ensure women know that Lancashire Cricket is a place where they can come and enjoy sport without fear of judgement based on gender.”