An initiative backed by professional services group, Gateley and grassroots-first women’s and girls’ cricket brand, Maiden will provide over 100 girls from state schools across the East Midlands with free kit in an effort to boost the development of girls’ cricket across the region.
For many girls in state schools, access to cricket still comes with barriers, from limited funding and facilities to kit that was never properly designed for them in the first place. While girls’ cricket continues to grow rapidly across the UK, opportunities remain uneven, with many state schools still lacking the resources and support needed to make the sport fully accessible.
A partnership between professional services group Gateley and women’s cricket brand Maiden is aiming to help change that across the East Midlands.
Backed by a £15,000 investment from Gateley, the initiative will provide purpose-built cricket kit and equipment for more than 100 girls across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire during the 2026/27 season.
Applications can be submitted here.
The programme is specifically focused on supporting state schools and community initiatives where limited access to funding or girls-specific cricket kit is restricting participation and development opportunities.
The expansion builds on strong results in Surrey, where three schools and the GB Women’s Wheelchair Cricket Team were given £15,000 worth of kit and investment. The programme led to increased participation, improved performance and the launch of new girls’ teams, showing what happens when girls are properly equipped and backed.
Harry Gilchrist, Head Coach at Christ’s College, said:
“The girls absolutely loved playing in kit that fit them properly and was designed specifically for them. You could see the difference in their confidence straight away. They felt more comfortable, more included and ultimately played better because of it.”
James Watson, Head Coach and Teacher at Heathfield, said:
“Our girls have achieved some incredible results recently, including reclaiming the Richmond Borough title and winning the Hampton Wick Royal Primary Schools Cricket Cup, and that success has been driven by the confidence and belief they’ve developed through feeling properly supported. Initiatives like this play a huge role in helping girls in state schools thrive both on and off the pitch.”
Cat Black, Co-Founder of Maiden Cricket, said:
“The issue is bigger than cricket kit alone. It’s about what happens when girls repeatedly feel like sport wasn’t designed with them in mind.
“Too often, girls in state schools are being asked to make do with shared, ill-fitting or adapted kit while participation pathways and investment continue to differ hugely depending on background and school setting.
“When girls feel comfortable, included and properly supported, confidence changes - and that changes participation too. That’s what this partnership is about.”
Selected schools will receive fully funded girls’ cricket kit and equipment tailored to their needs, helping remove some of the practical barriers that can prevent girls from fully participating in the game.
Louise Hodgkinson, Responsible Business Manager at Gateley, added:
“We’re proud to support an initiative focused on creating more equal access to opportunities for girls across the region.
“Sport can play a hugely important role in building confidence, resilience and ambition, but too often access is shaped by circumstance. We want to help more girls feel able to participate, develop and belong in the game.”
Applications are now open to state primary and secondary schools, along with community programmes across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire that are looking to grow girls’ cricket participation.
Priority will be given to schools and programmes where support can have the greatest impact on participation and access.
Applications can be submitted here. The deadline for submissions is 31st July 2026