An exciting phase is emerging in the world of cricket following the integration of women's cricket with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In an effort to widen the cricket market, increase the number of participants and provide opportunities for females to access the game, the ICC officially integrated with women's cricket following the eighth Women's World Cup held in South Africa in April 2005.

By this stage most member countries should have integrated with their women's sections and benefits will include an increase in cricket participation, greater resources and an enhanced profile for women's cricket worldwide.

The ICC is committed to promoting and developing women's cricket and to providing opportunities for females from the development level right through to the representative level. To show their dedication to women's cricket, Megan Smith was employed in the role of Women's Project Officer in March 2005. The focus of this role will be to work with key cricketing stakeholders including the European Cricket Council (ECC) to develop women's cricket.

Following integration an ICC Women's Committee was established to work in conjunction with the ICC to govern and manage women's cricket and provide recommendations to the ICC Development Committee. The Europe region representative on this committee is Gill McConway (ECB's Director of Women's Cricket) whose purpose will be to voice the needs and requirements of the European region.

In an effort to widen the cricket market, increase the number of participants and provide opportunities for females to access the game, the Europe Office will support and assist the member countries with providing information on women's cricket, establishing development programs and providing a pathway for females to progress through the cricket structure to hopefully one day represent their country.

Channel of Communication

The first line of communication for queries or information will always be the Europe Office and then will be filtered through the appropriate channels.

• Susan Lowrey: European Project Officer
  Phone: +44 (0)20 7616 8639
  Email: susan.lowrey@ecc-cricket.org.uk