Nottinghamshire will take over the internet hosting of the east midlands group within the ECB’s women’s regional construction, changing Loughborough University.
Lightning have been primarily based at Loughborough for the reason that new regional set-up was applied in 2019, with eight hubs changing the earlier county-based construction for women’s cricket. The college, which can also be residence to the ECB’s National Performance Centre, will hand over the operating of the group, which is but to be given a brand new identify, from November.
“We’d like to place on record our thanks to Loughborough University for their hard work, commitment and collaboration across the last seven years,” Jo Kirk, the ECB’s head of women’s home cricket, stated. “As well as being an important part of the Kia Super League, they have played a vital role in forming Lightning, and since 2019 establishing the regional model in their part of the country.
“We’re actually wanting ahead to working with the group at Nottinghamshire CCC as they transfer to main inside their area, alongside Derbyshire CCC, Leicestershire CCC and Lincolnshire.
“The continued growth of the Women’s Regional Structure and the impact it has had on the overall health of women’s cricket in England and Wales is something we should be really proud of, and we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum with a new Regional Partner in the East Midlands.”
The change comes as a results of a tendering course of after the ECB and Loughborough determined that feminine gamers within the east midlands can be higher served by being related to a first-class county.
The group and academy, which is able to run collectively by Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, will probably be primarily based at Trent Bridge however performed video games all through the area.
Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket, stated: “Seeing the growth of women’s cricket has been one of the biggest pleasures of being involved in the game in recent years. We’ve been fortunate to be heavily involved in that as a host venue for Trent Rockets, as well as welcoming Lightning to play 50-over and T20 cricket at Trent Bridge.
“This looks like the right time to take our dedication to women’s cricket ahead. We’re positive that the gamers, coaches and assist workers will really feel impressed by being at Trent Bridge, and we imagine that entry to our world-class amenities and the information of our current teaching and assist workers will help us in growing and attracting expertise.
“Our neighbouring counties will continue to host fixtures in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and we will collectively build a regional player pathway based at schools and clubs throughout the East Midlands.
“We’re all dedicated to enhancing the energy and depth of the feminine expertise pool and offering a transparent and visual route for probably the most gifted ladies from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire to progress from their very own county age group groups right into a regional construction.
“We hope that the added exposure we can give to the new regional structure can help to raise the profile of women and girls’ cricket throughout the East Midlands and deliver tangible long-term results.”
Loughborough Lightning have been runners-up within the 2018 Kia Super League, however completed backside of their group within the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2021 and 2022.
Ian Read, CEO of Lightning Regional Host at Loughborough University, added: “Athletes are always at the centre of our thinking and it’s clear that working directly with a first-class county is the best option to continue their development and the development of the game.
“We have labored carefully with the ECB all through the method of creating our determination to go the baton and are proud to proceed working with Nottinghamshire alongside all the opposite East Midlands companions. Loughborough University stays dedicated to cricket for each genders and can proceed to develop gamers and compete as a college as we now have for a few years.”