Twenty Ukrainian women, recently arrived in Knowle from Ukraine, were among 60 participants at the WCB Women’s Softball Festival at Knowle Village CC last weekend. The festival was enjoyed by all the participants, despite their vastly different experience levels. Keeping the focus on fun and participation, WCB Women & Girls’ Officer Gabby Basketter, was able to expertly and efficiently organise the tournament to provide the right level of challenge for all the participants.

More experienced teams, representing Bedworth CC and Moseley Ashfield CC, included players who had participated in the WCB Indoor Women’s League last winter. This was in contrast to the 20 Ukrainian women and their families who were being introduced to the game of cricket for the very first time. In between, were two rounders teams and a group from Solihull Super Kings CC who all had a grasp of cricket but were playing in their first cricket tournament.

The Ukrainian women split into two teams and had fun developing some basic cricket skills, as the group’s leader Nataliya Rozhin translated coaching instructions given by WCB coaches Ibby and Ethan. Meanwhile, the other five teams played a round robin tournament on adjoining pitches. Across the entire playing area, there was a common theme of fun and enjoyment, with players laughing, smiling, clapping and encouraging each other.

“It’s been an amazing day,” commented Gabby Basketter after the tournament. “We’ve had players with very different skills and levels of experience, but everyone’s had a great time. I would like to thank my WCB colleagues for their help running a successful day. Festivals like this are all about having fun and joining in. No one cares how good you are. The women here today have all enjoyed spending time together and trying something new in a fun and friendly environment. We are very grateful to Knowle Village Cricket Club for being such excellent hosts today and making everyone feel very welcome here. This is especially the case for the Ukrainian women who have recently arrived in the local area and have been able to come here to meet up with each other and people from the local community.”

Nataliya Rozhin agreed, stressing the importance of the event as an opportunity for the Ukrainian women to get together and try something new. “We want to thank everyone who has organised this wonderful game. We did not have a clue what cricket was this morning, but now this afternoon we have really been enjoying the game. The girls have been saying how much they enjoyed it and laughed so much – they cannot remember the last time they laughed this much. They are united together and absolutely want to repeat it again. They have had a really lovely time.”

Local Knowle residents Rebecca Davies and Raj Varaich came to the festival specifically to join in with and support the Ukrainian women. Rebecca said, “It’s been great to meet new people who have arrived in our community from Ukraine and to support them, whilst at the same time doing something fun.”

Raj agreed, and she added, “I have spoken with lots of the Ukrainian women today, and they all say they want to play cricket again. It’s been a very enjoyable afternoon. My teenage sons both play cricket and I have spent a lot of time watching them over the years. It’s great to have an opportunity to pick up a bat and ball myself in such a friendly environment.”

Cath Greatrex usually plays rounders with her teammates, but she also enjoyed the opportunity to play cricket at the WCB softball festival. “It was a great day for many reasons. I played a relatively new sport which was really inclusive (everyone bats and bowls). The organisers were fantastic ambassadors for the game and ensured everyone felt comfortable, regardless of their ability. Our teams ranged from teenagers to 63 years old and we had such a blast we have all signed up for the next tournament already. There was a little bit of a competitive edge between our two teams, which kept things interesting - and the banter flowing!

Kevin Perfect, Secretary of Knowle Village CC, was delighted to welcome the 60 women participants to the club. “The atmosphere has been fantastic here today. We are enjoying our partnership with the WCB Women & Girls’ team and are looking forward to hosting three more cricket festivals with them this summer.”

For more information about Women & Girls’ cricket in Warwickshire, or for details of how to register for the next softball festivals at Knowle Village CC, contact Gabby Basketter at [email protected]

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