St Albans soroptimists celebrate young women in cricket at charity event

Sophie, Rachael, Caitlin and Lucy from the Harpenden Girls’ team receiving the soroptimist Audrey Collins Under 13s Herts Girls’ Cricket shield and trophy from Linda Shall, St Albans soroptimist president-elect. (Image: Archant)

St Albans and District Soroptimists were updated on how the Audrey Collins Legacy Project was helping bridge the coaching gap for young women interested in cricket.

St Albans Girls’ Grammar School chemistry teacher Audrey Collins, a member of the local soroptimists for 38 years, was awarded an OBE as one of the first ten female members admitted by the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1999.

When she passed away in 2010, Audrey left £1000 to the soroptimists to sponsor a Hertfordshire girls under 13 cricket competition and to set up a female coaching programme.

Although Audrey’s legacy has funded the project thus far, an anonymous donation of £2000 was gifted to the group last year to enable phase two of the project.

At the recent event soroptimists discussed possible ideas for the future, presented the U13 2017 League Trophy to Harpenden Cricket Club, and listened to a programme of talks.

Speakers included John Mihil and the Harpenden Cricket Club girls, Sam Rose from Cricket East, Claire Hobson from Hemel Hempstead Cricket Club and Herts Ladies captain Amy Price.

The soroptimists also raised £55 for Cricket without Boundaries at the evening – an charity working in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Soroptimist Jane Slatter said it was a successful evening: “Hearing from girls who play cricket, are so passionate and really love it and get a lot out of it, not just exercise, was really important.

“It was great and we got loads of ideas from the girls and coaches so we can now think about what to do for the next phase of the project.”