ECB names counties which will host women's teams from 2025

Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey and Warwickshire have all been granted Tier 1 status.< /p>
Glamorgan and Yorkshire will join them in 2027 as part of an expansion.
The ECB also intends to add two more teams in 2029.
In 2025, the eight selected counties will replace the regions which have competed in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in recent years.
These plans will see the creation of a three-tier national competition structure which the ECB estimates could lead to an 80% increase in the number of professional players in England and Wales by 2029.
There will be £8 million of new funding each year for women's national football by 2027, bringing annual investment to around £19 million.
Glamorgan and Yorkshire will receive additional funding from 2025 to run their own "Tier 1 standard talent pathway with a view to joining the next level in 2027.
The location of the two teams to be added in 2029 has not been decided.
"Through this process we have seen a huge appetite from top-tier counties to have a professional women's team and a real commitment to the development of the women's and women's cricket in this country," said Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB.
"More professional teams means more women able to pursue careers in cricket, more role models to inspire future generations and more countries having a professional women's team to follow at proximity."
ECB Director of Women's Professional Football, Beth Barrett-Wild, added: " It is clear that the game is united in the desire to advance professional women's football and produce commercially dynamic teams and competitions that excite fans and showcase the quality of our professional players."
All 18 first-class counties and MCC have been invited to bid to become a Tier 1 women's club, the 'vast majority' submitting offers.
Counties that are not successful will be invited to participate "in a process aimed at determine the composition of levels 2 and 3", the result being confirmed by September 2024.
It There will be no promotion or relegation between levels from 2025 to 2028.

Sports Apr 18, 2024 0 6 Add to Reading List

ECB names counties which will host women's teams from 2025

Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey and Warwickshire have all been granted Tier 1 status.< /p>

Glamorgan and Yorkshire will join them in 2027 as part of an expansion.

The ECB also intends to add two more teams in 2029.

In 2025, the eight selected counties will replace the regions which have competed in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in recent years.

These plans will see the creation of a three-tier national competition structure which the ECB estimates could lead to an 80% increase in the number of professional players in England and Wales by 2029.

There will be £8 million of new funding each year for women's national football by 2027, bringing annual investment to around £19 million.

Glamorgan and Yorkshire will receive additional funding from 2025 to run their own "Tier 1 standard talent pathway with a view to joining the next level in 2027.

The location of the two teams to be added in 2029 has not been decided.

"Through this process we have seen a huge appetite from top-tier counties to have a professional women's team and a real commitment to the development of the women's and women's cricket in this country," said Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB.

"More professional teams means more women able to pursue careers in cricket, more role models to inspire future generations and more countries having a professional women's team to follow at proximity."

ECB Director of Women's Professional Football, Beth Barrett-Wild, added: " It is clear that the game is united in the desire to advance professional women's football and produce commercially dynamic teams and competitions that excite fans and showcase the quality of our professional players."

All 18 first-class counties and MCC have been invited to bid to become a Tier 1 women's club, the 'vast majority' submitting offers.

Counties that are not successful will be invited to participate "in a process aimed at determine the composition of levels 2 and 3", the result being confirmed by September 2024.

It There will be no promotion or relegation between levels from 2025 to 2028.