INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

International Women's Day 2023

Rosalie Fairbairn (Birch)

What did it mean to you to be part of the first Sussex Women’s team to win the County Championship 20 years ago?

It was such a big thing for us to win for the first time, we were so happy. And it was the start of a winning streak of county championships for us. I can't believe it was 20 years ago - it makes me feel very old! I have been enjoying taking a trip down memory lane thinking about the championships and our team, and I'm really proud to have played a part in a really strong era for Sussex women's cricket.

What is your fondest memories from the County Championship winning year?

I just remember such a brilliant team ethos and that made all the games feel special.  

The County Championship was very different 20 years ago, you played 5 days of 50 over cricket in a row and then when you won the Championship you played South Africa, how did you deal with 6 days of cricket in row?

At the time I think youth was on my side and I think my body could take it. I'm not sure I could manage that now, aged 39! It was a different era and it was just how the competition was - it was tough on players who picked up injuries during the week because it meant their competition was over when they had just started. It also meant that staying fit and well was even more important. It did seem a bit bonkers to have a sixth day, but we were so happy that we won and got to play (and beat!) a country that we didn't mind! 

The game has changed and progressed massively since you played, do you wish you could have played now rather than 20 years ago? If so, why? If not, why?

I think the game has progressed so much, but I'm also grateful for the experiences I had. I had a taste of professional cricket right at the end of my career when I played in the first year of the Kia Super League and it was great to be part of that. I follow the Hundred with great interest (largely because I now have two sons who are OBSESSED with it. I would have loved to have played now and tested myself in the big competitions with crowds and more scrutiny, but I also have a lot of respect for today's players as there is a lot more pressure.

Has cricket impacted your life and if so, how?

Yes, massively - cricket has taken me all over the world and it gave me so many experiences I would never have otherwise had. Cricket gave me confidence in myself as a person, and it also gave me some great role models and life-long friends - all over the world. 

What was the best thing about playing for Sussex?

The best thing about playing for Sussex was the people - we had such an incredible bunch of talented players. We loved seeing each other perform well but we also got on really well and enjoyed the camaraderie of the team.

Charlotte Burton

What did it mean to you to be part of the first Sussex Women’s team to win the County Championship 20 years ago?

It meant a huge amount to me and one of my proudest moments in my life, being part of the first Sussex Women’s team to win the County Championship and being part of a very special team and representing my county.

What is your fondest memories from the County Championship winning year?

There are just too many! I will always remember Pinky’s (Camilla) catch at mid-on, on the first day to beat our biggest rivals back then, Yorkshire, I have never heard a ground so quite when it went in the air and then to complete elation from the team as she took it. Also just how well we played that week, how much fun we had as a team on and off the field and how we always celebrated each other’s successes and the bond we had. It meant so much to us to represent Sussex and to win the Championship. Plus, to beat South Africa on the 6th day of playing cricket was special!

The County Championship was very different 20 years ago, you played 5 days of 50 over cricket in a row and then when you won the Championship you played South Africa, how did you deal with 6 days of cricket in row?

We just did it and didn’t really think about we were playing 6 days in a row, it was something we did back then and absolutely loved doing because we played cricket with our mates and had so much fun over that week. Playing on the 6th day against South Africa, we were on a real high after winning the championship, that we didn’t feel tired or probably realise we were on the 6th day of cricket. I know my body felt it the next day!

The game has changed and progressed massively since you played, do you wish you could have played now rather than 20 years ago? If so, why? If not, why?

I get asked this a lot, part of me says yes, I would have loved to play now because I would have loved to have played more T20 and The Hundred as that was my style of cricket (if you asked anyone about my batting!!) and to be paid to play! But if I am honest I don’t think I would have, because I had the greatest time 20 years ago, it was so much fun, I got to play with my friends, we had so many years as a team together and I have the greatest of memories from that time which will stay with me for life. Also, I have been very lucky and privileged to be part of how the game has changed over the years and to get to where it is now, firstly as a player, as a head coach for the women for 5 years and in my role as Women & Girls development officer for Sussex. Seeing the game progress to where it is now and being able to have a small role in making that happen is another proud moment for me and one I would never change.

Has cricket impacted your life and if so, how?

You could say it has become a major part of my life! It has been since the age of 6! Had I not played cricket, I wouldn’t be doing the job I do now, simple as that. Representing my County is one of my biggest honours, I grew up playing for Sussex and to be able to give back to those coming into the game and to help build and develop women and girls’ cricket in Sussex is one of my biggest passions and something I love doing. Being able to coach and help support more opportunities for women and girls to play this great sport and see how much it has developed and grow over the 20 years in Sussex means so much to me.

What was the best thing about playing for Sussex?

It meant a huge amount to me representing Sussex, I was playing for my County and that was a huge honour for me. I got to play with and against some of the best players in England and many of whom have become my friends. I had the best time back then and something I will always cherish and be so grateful for.

Mandie Godliman

What did it mean to you to be part of the first Sussex Women’s team to win the County Championship 20 years ago?

Best team I’ve ever played with, and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that it was a winning team.

What is your fondest memories from the County Championship winning year?

Playing and beating South Africa!

The County Championship was very different 20 years ago, you played 5 days of 50 over cricket in a row and then when you won the Championship you played South Africa, how did you deal with 6 days of cricket in row?

It was a tough few days but because we played as a team and the comradery we had, you really got carried along with the energy from the team.

The game has changed and progressed massively since you played, do you wish you could have played now rather than 20 years ago? If so, why? If not, why?

Yes, because I would have had the opportunity to play more cricket. 20 years ago we played less games and less opportunities to play in overseas leagues.

Has cricket impacted your life and if so, how?

Completely, not only have I moved to the other side of the World because of opportunities through Cricket but l learnt and grew in confidence through cricket, the opportunities and friends that I have gained because of cricket.

What was the best thing about playing for Sussex?

I really learnt and developed my cricket so much playing for Sussex, but the friendships that I had through playing for Sussex mean so much to me and something I hold very fond me memories.

Frances Block

What did it mean to you to be part of the first Sussex Women’s team to win the County Championship 20 years ago?

Proudest moment of my life, it was such an honour to play for Sussex. Always deemed the underdog, and yet no one seemed to realise what a strong women’s county cricket structure and pathway was developed. I was part of that and it was absolute privilege.

What is your fondest memories from the County Championship winning year?

Too many to mention! All of it but, the closeness of the team and the fun we had is a very strong memory, the supermarket checking my age after winning the first match and Crispy (Alexia) having to buy my celebratory drink for me (10 years younger!), that catch by Pinky (Camilla), me having fine legs – I mean fielding fine leg to fine leg! Probably our word game whilst fielding and our songs stand out to me, oh and holding the trophy out of the car window on our way to the 6th game and driving around roundabouts unnecessarily!! Obviously going to Buckingham Palace was pretty special!

The County Championship was very different 20 years ago, you played 5 days of 50 over cricket in a row and then when you won the Championship you played South Africa, how did you deal with 6 days of cricket in row?

I didn’t deal with it, I just got on with it! The adrenalin, the buzz and the cataclysmic realisation of what we had achieved got us all through it I imagine. To play a Country, wow, what a prize! And to win too was so sensational! I hurt afterwards but it was most definitely worth it!

The game has changed and progressed massively since you played, do you wish you could have played now rather than 20 years ago? If so, why? If not, why?

It’s all relative. It was the pinnacle of women’s cricket in those days. I got to play against some of England’s best players but more so, I got to play WITH the best England players, and to be fair, I taught them all they know especially when it comes to batting. Sussex was a leading light in women’s cricket, and the current game has a lot to thank Sussex for. Of course, to be a professional cricketer and have access to world class facilities and coaching would have been incredible, the main thing is that this is happening now.

Has cricket impacted your life and if so, how?

I have friends and cricket acquaintances all around the country. I enjoyed really good rivalries. Trying to beat Menswear’s (Charlotte) averages! I love cricket and I hope to pass on my love for the game to my son. He is really looking forward to the coming season. He is using my bat – someone has to! So all his runs are actually mine! Just like all of Crispy’s wickets, they were mine.