Durham Cricket Foundation has successfully delivered its first-ever Glow in the Dark Women’s Cricket Competition, with a record-breaking 27 women’s teams taking part across a nine-week programme.
The innovative concept has become the Foundation’s largest women’s competition to date, bringing a fresh, high-energy twist to recreational cricket. Matches were played using glowing equipment under illuminated conditions, creating a fun, welcoming and visually striking environment that reimagined how the game could be experienced.
More than 160 women took part in the new format, which was designed to remove traditional barriers to participation while offering a relaxed and social introduction to competitive cricket. For many participants, the competition represented their first experience of league cricket.
This milestone event builds on a record-breaking season for women’s cricket in the region. In 2025 alone, 513 women’s fixtures were played, representing a 87% increase on the previous year and more than six times the number of fixtures played in 2023.
This growth has been supported by the establishment of eight new women’s teams in 2025, bringing the total number of women’s teams across the region to 60, with 38 active women’s sections now in place.
For the first time, women’s cricket across the region now benefits from a full, year-round calendar of playing opportunities, made possible through Durham Cricket Foundation’s targeted initiatives and the introduction of Glow in the Dark cricket.
The outdoor season runs from May to September, followed by the Glow in the Dark competition in the lead-up to Christmas, and then the Indoor Bash competition from January through to March, ensuring consistent engagement throughout the year.
Marsha Davies, Head of Female Participation at Durham Cricket Foundation said: “This competition was about doing something different. We wanted to create an environment where women felt comfortable, supported and excited to play, but also to keep them engaged beyond the traditional season. By creating opportunities all year round, we’re helping more women stay connected to the game, build confidence and continue playing consistently for longer.
“We’re incredibly proud of how the women’s game is growing across our region. To see so many players taking part, having fun, supporting one another and coming back week after week has been fantastic. The passion, energy and sense of community that’s developed around these competitions is something we’re really excited to keep building on.”
Following the success of the inaugural competition, many of the teams have now registered to participate in Durham Cricket Foundation’s Women’s Indoor League – the Indoor Bash, supported by Point North’s Aggression Sessions grant from Durham University, from Sunday 18th January 2026 over 7 weeks to 1st March 2026.
The Foundation continues to play a vital role in growing the women’s game across the region, using creative formats and community-led programmes to make cricket more accessible for everyone.