Friday 10 May saw the grand opening of St George’s hardball indoor cricket nets, marking the culmination of a fantastic fundraising campaign which totalled £32,148.15. We were bowled over by the incredibly generous support from parents, alumnae and the Parent Association, which enabled the nets to be installed over the Easter Holidays. The equipment purchased will help nurture cricket interest and skills development to facilitate year-round training and development opportunities for our budding cricketers.
The launch was attended by supporters, including parents, alumnae, and representatives from local organisations including Royal Ascot Cricket Club, who enjoyed watching Lydia Greenway OBE run a cricket masterclass in the nets with some of our girls. Lydia is a cricket commentator and former England player who is regarded as one of the best outfielders in the women's game. Lydia's expertise and passion for the sport brought a sense of inspiration to the event, captivating attendees with her enthusiasm, insights and coaching tips.
With an initial fundraising target of £15,195, we were overwhelmed by the kindness of donors, and closed off our campaign with an incredible £24,648.15 from parents, alumnae, and our very generous Parent Association. In addition to this phenomenal level of support, as promised, the School matched the first £7,500 raised, meaning the combined total raised towards SGA Girls Cricket is £32,148.15. We are particularly grateful to the Sobhan Family, whose further generosity underpins the wider development of cricket for all at St George’s and beyond. This impressive achievement not only demonstrates the immense strength of our community but also ensures the realisation of this transformative project.
Participation in girls' cricket at St George's has been steadily growing in recent years. From humble beginnings with just one fixture in 2019, through the turbulence of the Covid years, we now field up to four cricket teams regularly during the Summer term, with plans to expand further in 2024. Installing the two-lane, hardball cricket net and a bowling machine supports our five-year plan to establish girls' cricket as a major sport at our School, enhancing performance development and community engagement.