Devon's first softball launched for the 2020 season

With over 20 clubs now offering ladies' softball cricket across the county and regular entries into all of the 8 festivals it was only a matter of time before discussion turned to setting up a more formal playing offer for the softball teams. 

Last night, 28th January, saw 9 clubs meet to agree the Playing Charter and Rules for the first ever ladies' softball league in Devon. Sitting under the umbrella of the Devon Women's League, the teams will be playing the longer 16 overs per side innings,  This season the league would be recorded as friendly games, but at the end of the season, each region would vote for a player that demonstrates the Spirit of Cricket. 

On 18th April, a free scoring and umpiring course will run so that the teams can officiate their own games and record them on Play Cricket. This course will run at The Cricket Centre at Exeter University between 9:30am and 12:30pm.  If you know someone who would like to attend, then please click here for a link to register. 

Many of the teams are sending a member of their squad onto the new Foundation One course, of which 50% is funded if the candidate is volunteering at the club to promote Women and Girl's Cricket. If you think you have someone at your club that would like to attend the Foundation One course and promote Women and Girls Cricket at your club, then please click here to register for the course. 

With fixtures now made, the meeting was full of talk of colored kit, ordering balls and thinking about hospitality for the games. There was a real buzz as the meeting ended and we are all very much looking forward to this new venture into softball league cricket, which is set to continue to grow. 

Congratualtions to these teams, who are forming the new leagues: 

West Devon - Buckland Monachorum, Cornwood, Ivybridge

East Devon - Budleigh Salterton, Cullopmton, Ottery St Mary

South Devon - Barton, Exwick, Paignton, 

If you are interested in setting up a team this season, running a festival or improving the training you already do, so that you can enter the league next year, then do not hesitate to contact Ann-Marie Presswell, Women and Girls Officer, who will be able to help you. Please feel free to email or ring on 07494151557.