“We’re not only building a cricket team, but we’re also building a sense of belonging and achievement which I think is hugely significant for women’s sports’: Helen Clarke on why women’s sport is about far more than the game itself.
“These women are learning new things and doing something they couldn’t do three weeks ago, and as a coach, that’s the most important part.”
For generations, Preston Cricket Club located in Hertfordshire, has been a cornerstone of village life, fostering connection and community for everyone.
However, there was one thing missing.
A ladies team.
Helen Clarke stepped into the coaching role three years ago, eager to create a space where women could learn a new sport and discover the confidence that comes with it.
“It was important to start up a ladies section, and it really just started with a few mums of kids who played for the club coming together.
“We didn’t really have the momentum to move on with it, but then last year, a mum I played hockey with got in touch and we started to set something up.”
The women’s sessions for the club happen on a Friday evening, with mums, daughters and women from all local areas joining together to learn the sport.
Clarke was desperate to create a space where women could discover themselves through sport and find a place where they could be themselves.
“The women here have all got different stuff going on in their lives, so they can come here, and they have that opportunity to focus on themselves and forget about everything.
“It’s just having that confidence to give it a go, if it goes wrong, it goes wrong but having that encouragement from others is what keeps everything going.”
The club has been growing ever since it started, with new members joining every year to not only make friends, but redefine their confidence.
The former Hockey coach shared how she hopes she can encourage the club to grow heading into the future.
“The hope is that we build enough confidence, with enough people so we can continue to play more matches.
“It’s giving them that chance to play more regularly and hopefully build in that competitiveness in the league.
“At that point, the world’s our oyster.”
Starting a Cricket club is one thing, but keeping it going is another. So what is it about this cricket club that keeps the community thriving, and the confidence growing?
“What’s really stuck with me is that everyone has got a sense of something individual to each of them, that they’ve decided this something they want to commit to and come back week on week.
“As grown-ups, we’re not very used to having the confidence to try something and fail.
“These ladies are serious about trying something new and pushing their own boundaries to get better both physically and mentally, and as a coach, that more than anything is the most rewarding part of this job.”
