Essex Cricket hosted the official launch of its new Tier One Professional Women’s Team last week at a prestigious event, sponsored by Tees at The Stratford Hotel in London.
The event gathered influential figures from the community, commercial partners, and Club Officials in celebration of this landmark moment for women’s cricket in the region and the ground-breaking ‘We Are Essex’ partnership with the University of Essex and Essex Rebels Basketball and Volleyball women’s teams.
The evening highlighted Essex Cricket’s commitment to advancing women’s sport and fostering talent, with the introduction of the recently announced women’s team representing a powerful step toward equity in cricket.
The event featured an engaging panel discussion with the team’s Performance Director Danni Warren, First Team player Jo Gardner, former Essex Rebels Basketball player Sune Swart and Ellie Sadler of London Pulse, who are an affiliate club to the partnership. The quartet shared insights into their journeys as elite athletes with Essex Cricket in the Community Chair, Rachel Lewis who hosted the discussion.
Panel discussion with Jo Gardner, Danni Warren, Sune Swart and Ellie Sadler
Essex Cricket General Manager, Dan Feist, said: “We are incredibly proud to officially launch our new Tier One Professional Women’s Team, which marks a monumental step forward for Essex Cricket and women’s sport across our region.
“The ‘We Are Essex’ partnership we have established is not only about raising the competitive level of women’s sport in Essex and wider region but also about creating an environment where young talent can see clear pathways to a professional future in sport.
“Through our partnership with the University of Essex and Essex Rebels, we’re building a strong foundation for talent development and elite performance, as well engaging with new supporters and expanding the fanbases across all three sports.
“The event highlighted that vision, and we’re thrilled to share it with our community, partners and businesses who will be essential in achieving our objective of being the number one region for women’s sport. Together, we’re paving the way for the next generation of female athletes in Essex.”
Rebels captain and GB international Claire Paxton praised the collaboration, adding: “This is a cool opportunity for us to celebrate women’s sport and women’s professional sport in Essex.
“We’re really looking forward to this partnership and cheering on the Essex women’s cricket team over the summer.”
University of Essex’s Director of Sport, Dave Parry opens the event
Attendees were inspired by the ambitious vision set out by Essex, which aligns with the Club’s long-standing commitment to developing local talent and providing young women with professional pathways in cricket. This partnership not only strengthens the competitive standard in women’s cricket but will also focus on creating a new engaging experience for spectators across cricket, basketball and volleyball.
Essex Cricket would like to extend its gratitude to event sponsors, Tees and hosts, The Stratford Hotel, as well as all the regions businesses, Club partners and community figures who supported the event. Their continued support and collaboration will be essential in propelling this new team to success.
Find out more information on how your business can be part of the exciting future ahead with the Essex Women’s team by getting in touch with the Club’s Commercial department – [email protected] or completing the form via the following link – here.
