Women and Girls Week starts as cricket registrations for girls aged 5 to 12 rise 44 per cent since 2024
Cricket Australia says registrations of girls aged 5 to 12 are up 44 per cent since 2024, as its week of celebrations coincides with the WBBL opener at Junction Oval on Thursday.
Cricket Australia's annual Women and Girls Week is under way, running from Sunday 25 October to 1 November.
The national week aims to celebrate, elevate and grow women's and girls' cricket, from Woolworths Cricket Blast through to the elite level, Cricket Australia says.
The numbers
According to Cricket Australia, since its Women and Girls Action Plan launched in 2024 the number of registered players has risen by:
- 44 per cent for girls aged 5 to 12
- 35 per cent for girls overall
- 24 per cent for women.
Cricket Australia's Chief of Cricket, James Allsopp, said: “We have seen incredible growth in participation rates in women’s and girls’ cricket in recent years, with 5–12-year-old participation numbers in particular increasing by 44 per cent since the launch of our Women and Girls Action Plan, and we hope this week will inspire many more to get involved with cricket as a player, coach, umpire, administrator or volunteer.”
What's happening this week
Cricket Australia says it will share the stories of players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and leaders through the week, while community clubs around the country hold their own celebrations.
Clubs can also enter a Cricket Australia social media competition. A winning club in each state and territory will receive a $1,000 grant to support the growth of women's and girls' cricket, along with a signed Australia women's playing shirt. One national winner will receive an extra $2,500 grant.
WBBL starts on Thursday
The week coincides with the start of Weber WBBL|12. The season opens on Thursday 29 October with a double-header under lights at Junction Oval in St Kilda: Melbourne Renegades host Sydney Thunder, then Melbourne Stars host the reigning champions, Hobart Hurricanes. Read our WBBL|12 opening night story.
Source: Cricket Australia media release, “Women and Girls Week gets underway across Australian Cricket”, 25 October 2026. Source: Cricket Australia media release, 25 October 2026. Illustrations: The Dosage.