DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has recently launched the inaugural female leadership programme – On the Front Foot, and has opened the application process for those interested in becoming future leaders within cricket in Ireland.
In 2020, a four-week pilot programme was run virtually with participants able to hear from female sports leaders such as Lynne Cantwell, Mary Waldron, Maeve Buckley and Laura Delany. Supported by the Sport Ireland Women in Sport fund and in line with the recently released Women & Girls’ Cricket Action Plan, the inaugural On the Front Foot: Future Female Leaders programme has now been developed and will run between September 2021 and May 2022, featuring six 90-minute workshops and five forums that will be delivered in partnership with ‘The Sporting Pursuit’.
On the Front Foot aims to advance the innovation, creativity, and leadership capabilities of female cricket leaders in Ireland. Participants will receive individualised professional development, which includes access to coaching mentors, as well as experts from various performance environments both inside sport and from other professional backgrounds. A strong feature of the programme is the emphasis on action learning theory and information sharing, that will allow future leaders to discuss experiences, challenges and learning in a safe and supportive environment. The workshops will explore the beliefs, values and perspectives of participants on what leadership looks like in the modern cricketing world, and provide insights on how best to develop the skills to be future leaders.
Ross McCollum, Chairman of Cricket Ireland, said:
”As part of our new Women & Girls’ Cricket Action Plan, we are committed to creating opportunities to encourage and develop female leadership across all levels of our sport. Through this programme we hope to see as many women as possible who have an interest in starting – or continuing – their leadership journey to take advantage of this great opportunity.”
“To increase female representation at all levels of our sport is vital to its ongoing sustainability, and recognises the importance of diversity and equality within decision-making and planning the future of our clubs and governing bodies.”
“We would like to thank the Sport Ireland Women in Sport fund for supporting this programme and I look forward to following the leadership journey of the participants.”
More information and application
More information on how to apply to this innovative and pioneering programme is available at: https://www.cricket-programmes.com/on-the-front-foot.
The deadline is 7 September 2021, and places are limited so early application is advised.
Craig Easdown
No
Connaught
