Durham Cricket Foundation is running a free ECB Support Coach course specifically for women as a pilot initiative to support more women to take their first steps in coaching and help sustain the rapid growth of the female game across the region.
The course will take place on Tuesday 19 August between 6pm and 8pm at Banks Homes Riverside, and offers a recognised ECB coaching qualification in just one evening. It is specifically designed as an early-stage, accessible opportunity for women to get a feel for coaching and gain confidence in a supportive environment.
Through the pilot, the Foundation hopes to encourage more women to consider coaching as a natural next step in their cricket journey whether as players, volunteers or parents.
This initiative comes in response to the significant growth of women’s and girls’ cricket across the region. The number of women’s fixtures more than tripled last season alone, with 275 fixtures played in 2024, and 2025 already surpassing that total.
Girls’ cricket has also expanded rapidly, with team numbers increasing from 37 to 80 in four seasons. Entry-level programmes All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket continue to play a key role, with girls making up around a third of all participants in Durham.
The ECB Support Coach course responds directly to the momentum – aiming to ensure the growth of the game is matched by the development of more female coaches, leaders and role models to support it.
To help manage demand and confirm commitment, a small £10 deposit is required when booking, which will be refunded upon completion.