The County Ground will play host to the annual Bowling Out Gender Inequality Fixture between Opening Boundaries and the UK Armed Forces Women’s Cricket team.
The fixture will take place at 1pm on Friday 19 July, as part of a special T20 double-header at The County Ground, with Derbyshire Falcons set to face Durham in their final Vitality Blast group game in the evening.
There will be a host of family-friendly and accessible activities to enjoy, in conjunction with the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, to raise awareness of gender inequality.
The women’s game has seen growth in the region in recent years, with more than 25% of all women and girls cricket played in the Midlands in 2023 involving a team from Derbyshire.
Ryan Duckett, Chief Executive at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Opening Boundaries to The County Ground this summer.
“Gender inequality is a hugely important issue, one that stretches far beyond the world of sport, and we’re delighted to come together with Opening Boundaries, the Armed Forces, the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation and our key stakeholders within the community for this event, which we hope will raise awareness and help to promote equality.”
Halima Khan, founder of the campaign, added: “We would like to thank Derbyshire County Cricket Club for providing us with a great platform to showcase gender equality in sport. This annual fixture with the UKAF team is a great way for us to raise awareness as well showcase the amazing talent we have within our own communities when it comes in combatting gender inequality from grassroots to elite level.
“This is a great opportunity for the local community to come and see the game and wider engagement work with the UK Armed Forces and we look forward to welcoming people on the day.”
UKAFCA Chair, Brigadier MT Cansdale CBE, said: “It has been brilliant to see the recent strides made in increasing female participation in cricket both in Defence and more widely. But there is still more to do.
“This fantastic fixture is another step in that direction and we are really grateful to Derbyshire County Cricket Club for all they are doing for this event and for bowling out gender inequality.”
