Alice Capsey among new batch awarded ECB women’s domestic contracts

Hamza Hameed October 29, 2021

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Number of professionals in women’s domestic game increases from 41 to 51

Teenage allrounder Alice Capsey, winner of the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award, has received her first professional contract in the expanded list announced by the ECB for 2021-22.

The expected increase means the eight regional teams now all have six contracted players, with extra funding at Northern Diamonds and Thunder bringing the total number of women on domestic deals to 51 – in addition to the 16 centrally contracted by England Women.

Yorkshire have provided funding for two further contracts at Diamonds, awarded to Netherlands batter Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater; while Lancashire will also support an additional pro player, with Phoebe Graham moving across the Pennines from Diamonds.

“It’s absolutely fundamental to the future of women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales that we’re able to continue increasing the depth of our regional game by offering more professional contracts to our players,” Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket, said.

“We cannot overstate the impact that a new professional structure is having on our game. We’ve already seen the positive impact it has had on players’ performances in a relatively short space of time. The players are thriving, raising standards across the game and deepening the potential talent pool for England Women.

“Just as important is the visibility of these players, showing young girls that cricket is a game that can offer them a professional future.

“Professionalising the women’s game is a significant chapter for our sport and I’m thrilled that we’re able to continue that momentum by increasing the number of professional contracts on offer.”