Sussex Cricket Foundation celebrate the women in our county who make cricket great

Throughout September, the country celebrated Women's Cricket Month, which put the women and girls in cricket in the spotlight. 

The Sussex Cricket Foundation profiled five who give so much to the game in our county, and you can read all about them below:

Sally Watling

Sally has lived in Ansty for most of her lift and has loved working as a tailoress for over 20 years. She claims that she’s not a very sporty person but loves watching all sport.

She joined Ansty CC as a player and now coaches the girl’s squads after Dave Burt encouraged het to get involved in coaching.

“Dave is a great believer that girls should be coached mainly by women.” Said Sally. “He helped me so much with my cricket so I thought I should give something back. He gives so much of his time.

“I have always loved cricket but never played at school or after-school clubs. I only started playing four years at the young age of 38 after Dave spent three years asking me to play.

“I eventually said yes and have never looked back.

“I really love coaching now too. I like to see the girls improving and learning while also having a great time. They always leave smiling which is the best thing.

“I would like to encourage anyone at any age to give cricket a go. I love playing in a team and watching girls improve, and playing alongside them, is a pleasure.”

As part of #womenscricketmonth we are taking the chance to celebrate some of our local club ‘Heroes of the Game’ 🦸‍♀️🏏

Today the spotlight 🔦 is on Sally Watling of @anstyladiescc @AnstyCC Keep up the incredible work Sally! 👏👍#womenscricket #volunteers #thisgirlscan pic.twitter.com/9IHZDw4xOg

— Sussex Cricket Foundation (@SussexCricketFd) September 24, 2020

Alison Bruce

Alison was born in North East England and after attending Manchester University, she headed south and came to work at the University of Brighton, where she still works as a professor of physics.

She also teaches mathematics and research into nuclear structure physics. When she is not smashing cricket balls, she can be found smashing atoms!

Alison has been involved at Brighton & Hove CC since 1992, and has held many roles including club chair and women’s captain. She was also on the committee of the Sussex Women’s Cricket Association when it existed.

Her new role at Brighton & Hove CC, where she still plays, involves sitting on the management committee as women’s manager and women’s fixture secretary.

“I first started to play with my cousins in the park, but my love for the game was nurtured by my dad.” Said Alison. “When I was about 11, I became scorer for his team, but the nearest girls’ team where I grew up was 100 miles away.”

“I didn’t play a formal game, have any coaching or join a team until I was at University, but the impact cricket has had on my life has been immense.

“I’ve had good fun playing the game and formed some great friendships. I’m also very pleased to be involved in providing sport for young girls.

“I think this offers great opportunities for them to fulfil their potential and helps build their confidence and self-image.”

We continue to celebrate our local club ‘Heroes of the Game’ as part of #womenscricketmonth 🦸‍♀️🏏

Today the spotlight 🔦 is on Alison Bruce of @BandHcc Thank you for everything that you do Alison!👏👍#womenscricket #volunteers #thisgirlcan pic.twitter.com/4SJ695GJsK

— Sussex Cricket Foundation (@SussexCricketFd) September 26, 2020

Sarah Plimmer

Sarah lives in Burgess Hill, is married to Neil and has two children. She has worked at Birchwood Grove school as a school business manager for the last five years.

Sarah was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire, but moved down to Sussex in 1999.

She is a junior coordinator at Burgess Hill CC, which is a large club with over 260 members – 60 of which are female. She has enjoyed playing softball cricket, but her passion lies with managing, scoring and coaching.

She is looking forward to completing the Foundation 1 coaching qualification once restrictions are lifted further.

“I have enjoyed watching cricket since I was a child.” Said Sarah. “I used to go and watch the local team when I was visiting my grandparents in Liverpool.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the opportunity to play when I was at school. It wasn’t promoted in schools like it is now and the chance to join a club wasn’t available.

“I became involved in cricket when both my children joined Burgess Hill CC in 2016. Sophie connected with the club after playing cricket at primary school and James got involved in All Stars Cricket.

“I enjoy volunteering to help run All Stars, both indoors before the season starts and outdoor sessions in the summer. I also help at the training sessions for the teams I manage; my son’s under-11 team and my daughter’s under-15 girls’ team.

“Cricket has taken over our family’s life! There has always been a focus on sport in our house, but over the last few years cricket seems to have taken over.

“I organise, I coach and as a family we are either playing or watching cricket, whether it is at Sj John’s Park in Burgess Hill, at Hove watching Sussex or at home watching cricket on television.”

The ‘Heroes of the Game’ just keep coming as part of #WomensCricketMonth 🦸‍♀️🏏@BurgessHillCC Sarah you're a star!👏👍🌟#womenscricket #volunteers #ThisGirlCan pic.twitter.com/cUpkACpMSs

— Sussex Cricket Foundation (@SussexCricketFd) September 28, 2020

Mel McDonald

Mel is a primary school teacher, teaching reception class in a school in Hailsham which she began this year after a four-year part-time degree, having retrained after a career in banking.

She is married and has two sons, and currently coaches the youngest mixed group at Hailsham CC. She also manages the mixed under-9 teams when they have tournaments.

At the 2019 NatWest OSCAs, Mel won the Sussex coach of the year award

“I became involved with cricket 25 years ago when I met my husband.” Said Mel. “He played cricket from the age of 12, playing at Sussex as a junior and into his teens.

“When my sons were small, they started playing as well and I decided to help with the coaching. After taking my Level 1 qualification in 2008, I coached under-7 and under-9 teams, raining training sessions and matches.

“I have been coaching at Hailsham CC since 2012 and prior to that coached at Hellingly CC. Hailsham have always had a progressive and inclusive approach to coaching and this encouraged me to join the club.

“For me, cricket is part of our family. Summer means cricket and I love the community feel that accompanies the game. I enjoy watching my husband and son’s play and being involved in coaching for several years means I see how juniors improve and progress.

“Cricket is about teamwork and spans generations, gender and ability. That is what makes it so interesting. Being involved in girls’ cricket has been a privilege. I just wish it was encouraged when I was young.

“The fabulous talent that I have seen blossom in the girls at our club has been wonderful to witness.”

Yet another ‘Hero of the Game’ #WomensCricketMonth 🦸‍♀️🏏@HailshamCC Thank you for everything that you do Mel!👏👍🌟#womenscricket #volunteers #ThisGirlCan pic.twitter.com/HyHfmdjMF4

— Sussex Cricket Foundation (@SussexCricketFd) September 29, 2020

Georgia Adams

Georgia is the assistant coach & centre manager for the Aldridge Cricket Academy at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, as well as being a regional professional player for Southern Vipers.

As well as captaining Sussex Women, Georgia also captains the Vipers and led them to Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy glory on Sunday 27 September.

She led from the front for the Vipers, scoring over 500 runs in seven matches, and hit the highest individual score in the tournament – an unbeaten 154.

“I grew up watching my dad play and enjoyed spending time on the side lines learning how to play with Peter Moores’ son, Tom.” Said Georgia.

“Eventually, Clare Connor suggested to my dad that I get involved in the Sussex Women and Girls set-up. I went along at the age of 11 and was very nervous, but it didn’t take too long before I loved it.

“Scoring runs and winning is the best thing about playing cricket. Lifting trophies is great too! Cricket has allowed me to meet fantastic people, travel the world and now I’m lucky enough to make a living out of it.”

It's the last official day of #WomensCricketMonth 🏏

But here's one Hero 🦸‍♀️ we couldn't not mention! @GeorgiaAdams01 @Aldridge_CA @baca_sport @VipersKSL 👏👍🌟#womenscricket #ThisGirlCan pic.twitter.com/Nd2SGzHC4q

— Sussex Cricket Foundation (@SussexCricketFd) September 30, 2020