Head of Women’s & Girls’ Cricket

About the Role

Shepherds Bush Cricket Club is one of London’s most ambitious and inclusive community cricket clubs, committed to providing opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.

Women’s and girls’ cricket sits at the heart of our future. We’ve built one of the largest female sections in grassroots cricket, with more than 80 girls playing across five age-group teams and over 30 women across a thriving softball team and two hardball teams competing in the Derick Morgan League and the Sheila Hill League.

We’re looking for an exceptional coach and leader to build on these foundations: shaping strategy, developing players and coaches, strengthening school and community partnerships, and creating a sustainable pathway from junior girls to senior women’s cricket. Additional paid coaching may be available for holiday camps by separate agreement.

You’ll work closely with the Club Committee, Head of Junior Cricket, Cricket Committee, captains, team managers, volunteers and partners including Middlesex Cricket and the ECB, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding, inclusion and delivery through others.

Full Job Description

 

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape one of the largest and most ambitious women’s and girls’ cricket programmes in grassroots cricket, backed by an engaged Committee, active volunteers, established senior teams and a thriving junior section. The role offers scope to build a lasting pathway, support players as people as well as cricketers, and make a visible impact across the club and wider community.

Hours & Regular Commitments

Seasonal hours

• April to July: approximately 10 hours per week, including coaching of women’s and girls’ sections
• August: approximately 4.5 hours per week, including women’s coaching
• September to March: approximately 3-4 hours per week, including winter coaching sessions

Regular commitments include

• Wednesday evenings: 4.00–7.00pm girls’ coaching (April–July); 7.00–8.30pm women’s coaching (April–August)
• Attendance at a minimum of one girls’ match fixture each week during the season, usually on a weekday evening or Sunday
• Cricket Committee meetings and occasional club events
• Work with club captains and junior team managers to oversee season administration, including fixtures, availability, team sheets, officials, match fees and kit orders

What Success Looks Like

• A positive, inclusive club experience where players feel supported, valued and able to thrive
• Clear progression from junior girls into senior women’s cricket, particularly from U15 upwards
• Strong retention across the junior and women’s sections, especially at key transition age groups
• Sustained junior teams at U10, U11, U13 and U15, alongside accessible women’s softball and hardball
  opportunities for players of all abilities
• A growing coaching and volunteer workforce, supported by strong school, community and cricket partnerships
• Appropriate support for talented young players with the potential to progress into county cricket

Success will not be measured simply by match results. Important measures will include player enjoyment, retention, confidence, wellbeing and progression from junior girls into senior women’s cricket. Pastoral care should be treated as a core part of player retention, confidence and long-term participation. You won’t be doing this alone: you’ll be backed by active junior and senior leadership, captains, volunteers, an established player base and full Committee support.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Work with relevant stakeholders to develop and execute a five-year women’s and girls’ cricket development plan
• Provide clear progress updates and champion women’s and girls’ cricket across the club and with county partners

Coaching & Player Development

• Deliver selected high-quality coaching sessions and ensure consistent coaching standards across girls’ age groups and the senior women’s programme
• Oversee the women’s and girls’ playing programme, working through captains, team managers and volunteers to coordinate fixtures, festivals, competitions and player recruitment
• Build leadership opportunities for older girls/women and a positive, ambitious and inclusive team culture
• Create a seamless pathway into senior cricket, introducing players to senior training and women’s matches at the appropriate time and supporting their transition

People, Safeguarding & Partnerships

• Recruit, mentor and support coaches and volunteers, building a sustainable network of coaching, officiating and administrative support roles
• Develop future coaches, scorers, officials and administrators with a focus on female recruitment
• Strengthen relationships with Middlesex in the Community, the ECB, schools and community organisations to expand the women’s and girls’ network of opportunity
• Identify funding or sponsorship opportunities where appropriate
• Provide strong pastoral care for women and girls, taking time to understand individual needs, build confidence, support wellbeing and create an environment where players feel valued, listened to and able to thrive
• Promote a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring compliance with ECB safeguarding, governance and Safe Hands requirements

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who combines strong coaching with programme leadership, clear communication and the ability to bring people together behind shared goals.

Essential

Coaching & safeguarding

• ECB Level 2 Coaching Qualification (minimum)
• Experience coaching women’s, girls’ and/or junior cricket
  Leadership & organisation
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Programme leadership skills, with evidence of delivering through others
• Passion for developing women’s and girls’ cricket
• Ability to motivate players, coaches and volunteers

Values & availability

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Commitment to pastoral care, recognising that young players’ enjoyment, confidence and wellbeing are central to sustained participation and progression
• Enhanced DBS certificate and First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain one)
• Current ECB Safeguarding qualification and compliance with ECB Safe Hands requirements
• Right to work in the UK
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends during the cricket training season

Desirable

• Experience leading cricket programmes and developing volunteers
• Experience using Play-Cricket
• Experience working with Middlesex Cricket or another County Cricket Board
• Experience delivering cricket in schools or community settings
• Playing experience