Free coaching can uncover girl power

The weekly sessions, for girls aged from six to adult, take place at Sandwell Academy and have been organised after the club secured £4,000 funding through Sport England's small grants scheme.

Initially, the aim is for the club to run an under-10s six-a-side team next season together with an older, eight-a-side outfit. Though, as Dartmouth youth co-ordinator Stuart Baker explains, the long-term plans are much grander.

"We would hope, in time, to get a proper women's section out of it," explained Baker, who has also worked to develop the women's game through his work as a Chance to Shine officer with Staffordshire Cricket Board.

Welcome

"Our focus will primarily be those aged between 14 and 25 but I'm not going to turn anybody away.

"If anyone wants to turn up and try they will be most welcome.

"I know through my work in Staffordshire the interest and the talent is out there. It's an exciting time."

Women's cricket has seen its profile soar in recent years with growing interest leading to televised matches and the formation of the Super League, which will have its inaugural season next year.

But it is the desire to increase participation at grassroots level, which prompted Dartmouth to seek out funding, which was secured with the help of Sandwell Leisure Trust.

"We currently only have one female player, Trisha Patel, who has represented the county at every level up to under-17," explained Baker.

"There has always been a sense of guilt that she was the only girl, we feel we should have had more. The hope is that, if we get a lot of girls attending these sessions from outside our area, we can approach other clubs and say, 'look, there is a women's section here if you want it'."

Jasmine Heir, physical activity development officer for West Bromwich, said: "This is a great opportunity for an established club like West Bromwich Dartmouth CC to continue building a strong grassroots platform, focusing on female participation."

Sessions take place each Sunday morning between 10am and 11am in the sports hall at Sandwell Academy, with groups being split on age and ability.

For more information, contact Baker on 07805 310108.