Pradhan: U19 Women’s T20 WC Boosting Female Coaching Numbers

Synopsis

On Jan 17, Snehal Pradhan from the ICC noted that the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup has played a crucial role in increasing the number of female coaches in the sport's age-group system, with a notable rise in coaching positions held by women.

Key Takeaways

The U19 Women’s T20 World Cup has increased female coaches.
Coaching roles for women rose from 12 to 20 since 2023.
All-female coaching teams from Australia, Samoa, and Scotland.
Former players like Trisha Chetty and Lisa Keightley are coaching.
ICC aims to boost head coach roles for women in future editions.

New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) Snehal Pradhan, the Manager of Women’s cricket at the International Cricket Council (ICC), expresses that the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup has significantly contributed to the rise in the number of female coaches within the age-group structure of the sport.

According to the ICC, the representation of women in coaching positions among participating teams has surged from 12 to 20 since the tournament's inaugural event in 2023. Teams from Australia, Samoa, and Scotland boast all-female coaching staffs, while the coaching teams of Nigeria and South Africa are predominantly female.

Notable former international players like Trisha Chetty from South Africa and Beth Morgan from England are set to coach in the tournament commencing this Saturday. Additionally, former head coach of the England senior women’s team, Lisa Keightley, is part of the Australian coaching squad for this U19 World Cup.

“We are witnessing a shift in momentum reflected in the numbers at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. While the change might not always be visible, the substantial increase in female coaches is a clear indication of this transition,” said Pradhan.

“There is a change in opportunities; organizations are recognizing that there are career paths available for women aspiring to enter coaching. Their talents are being acknowledged and developed by the Member Boards,” remarked Snehal Pradhan, who played six ODIs and four T20Is for India.

The second edition of the U19 World Cup kicks off on Saturday and will run until February 2, with India entering the competition as the reigning champions. Pradhan also mentioned that the ICC aims to enhance the number of women occupying head coach roles in subsequent tournament editions.

“Our Members are increasingly aware of the benefits of utilizing a workforce they hadn’t previously tapped into. Our goal moving forward is to boost the number of head coaches,” she stated.

“Some women start as assistant coaches, and we aim for them to be sufficiently skilled through our initiatives and Member support to assume head coach roles by the next Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.”

In her concluding remarks, Pradhan highlighted the significance of having more women in U19 women’s coaching setups and the potential influence on the broader cricketing community. “It is crucial to demonstrate that it is achievable. A woman interested in coaching, regardless of her background, can see that this path is viable and realistic.”

“There exists a pathway for a fulfilling career, allowing individuals to stay connected to and contribute to the sport. You cannot aspire to what you cannot see. By spotlighting these pioneering figures, we can create role models for future generations, facilitating generational change.”