The thud of ball on plastic bat, followed by a wall of sound echoing around the sports hall. Shrieks from frantic fielders, screams of encouragement for batters, people running in all directions. The ball moving constantly, the game fast paced. Participants’ eyes bright with delight, it leaves you breathless just watching. At this precise moment, it is hard to believe there is anywhere on the planet with a greater passion for cricket. Where are we? This is the after-school cricket club at Bordesley Green Girls’ School in Birmingham, run by WCB coaches Mina Zahoor and Shozair Ali, and it’s taking girls’ street cricket in Birmingham to a whole new level.
For an hour after school in the sports hall, 42 girls immerse themselves completely in cricket. Their passion for the game, their enthusiasm and energy are evident from the moment they walk through the door, shedding the cares of their school day. For this hour they think of nothing else but cricket as 42 sets of eyes follow the ball relentlessly and shed their teenage concerns for a while. Everyone is smiling. The smiles, the laughter, the excitement – this is Bordesley Green Girls’ happy place. Even those who are caught or run out are smiling moments later. There is no time to dwell on it – the game has moved on.
Shozair Ali stands in the middle of the sports hall, calmly bowling to the batters, totally unfazed by the frenetic nature of everything around him. His colleague Mina Zahoor is in amongst the girls, hard to spot as she weaves her way through them, organising, encouraging, offering advice and the occasional word of comfort after an unfortunate dismissal.
Mina is the WCB Community Participation Officer and has organised these after-school sessions at Bordesley Green Girls’ School as part of a wider after school programme for girls across six schools in inner Birmingham. Each school hosts a 10 week after-school club, following which all the schools involved come together for a tournament, hosted by the WCB. Such is the passion for cricket at Bordesley Green Girls’ that Mina is hoping the sessions can continue after the initial 10 weeks so that the girls have an opportunity to continue playing in school.
Every girl at the after-school club has a story, as does their teacher Mrs Franks (who has worked alongside WCB for many years to bring cricket to Bordesley Green Girls’ School). Let’s hear some of these stories now.
Samreen’s Story (Samreen B, Year 13)
“I have been playing cricket since I was six. I played in primary school and then here at senior school. My uncle plays in the Birmingham League so, when we used to go and watch him, I would also play cricket with my cousins. I have been for county trials in the past but was then injured and unable to continue. I am captain of the school cricket team and have been very invested in cricket at school for many years.
As well as playing, I also enjoy coaching the other girls. When I was in Years 10 & 11, I coached the U13 girls’ team and have done a coaching course with some of the WCB coaching staff. While I am studying for my A levels I have decided to stick mainly to coaching until after they are finished.
Cricket is a way of taking stress away. It’s great to focus just on what’s in front of you and forget about everything else. I enjoy the excitement and the opportunity to experiment, for example with different types of bowling. Cricket is a very important part of my life, and I can’t imagine not playing or coaching.
Over the years, I have encouraged my friends to play cricket. When I was in Year 10, I would coach my friends at break and lunchtimes. We became a team and were successful at school county finals. Everyone here loves cricket and we are all watching the World Cup where we can. It is nice to come together around cricket.
I have always wanted to be like Mina. I am motivated and inspired by how she runs things. Mina has helped so many girls who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play cricket otherwise. She is a great role model.”
Haleema’s Story (Haleema A, Year 13)
Like Samreen, Haleema is a talented cricketer and decided to come to Bordesley Green Girls’ School for sixth form, attracted by the school’s reputation for cricket.
“I love playing both hardball and softball cricket. I would like to play cricket as a professional. I am a batter mainly. I really enjoy the softball tournaments that Mina organises because everyone gets involved. Cricket is my favourite hobby. It keeps me busy and is good for my fitness. It’s great that more girls are coming to the school sessions all the time. If possible, I would like to find a club so I can also play cricket outside of school.”
Haleema is being modest and her friend Maha, who has been listening, now interjects. “Haleema is a big hitter! She is committed to cricket and sees it as her end goal. She gives great advice when you haven’t done well and are feeling down. Haleema will build you back up.”
Nadia’s Story (Nadia A, Year 12)
“I played cricket in primary school as well. When I was younger, I went for a county trial at Edgbaston, but I ripped my cartilage at the trial while I was bowling and was injured for a while.
I love playing cricket, at school and in the tournaments at Edgbaston. The cricket sessions we come to are for everyone, and we all get to play. I make friends, learn skills, and get exercise. The coaches from Edgbaston are also really friendly and help us with everything.”
Mrs Franks’ Story (Mrs Franks, Head of Hearing Resource Base, PE Teacher & Cricket Lead)
Mrs Franks has been teaching at Bordesley Green Girls’ School for over 20 years and has been involved in cricket for most of that time. In fact, Mrs Franks taught PE to Nadia’s mum in a previous school.
Mrs Franks enjoyed a successful career on the international badminton circuit and was Welsh national junior badminton champion. Although she didn’t play cricket herself when she was younger, she recognises the girls’ passion for the game and the importance of their engagement in sport.
“These are incredible girls. Year after year they demonstrate their enthusiasm and passion for cricket. If I advertise a cricket club, I am swamped with replies. We have 42 girls here this afternoon, and I will have many more at a lunchtime club as lots of girls are unable to stay after school. To those people who say that girls don’t want to play sport, this club proves the exact opposite. All girls want to play sport in my experience, they just need the right environment.
I am not a cricketer myself and everything I have learnt about cricket over the years is from the girls’ passion for the game. As well as participating in sport, they are learning leadership skills and developing other new skills. Today we have five girls volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. They are a valuable asset to the session and have sorted out the equipment, the registers, the organisation and the scoring. One of them is even advising Shozair as a third umpire on the run outs!
I see the important life lessons that participation in sport teaches the girls. Many of them are very interested in sport and would like to continue with a sports related subject after school. As women’s sport develops, hopefully there will be more opportunities for them and a career in sport will become seen as a viable option by our students and their families.
It is also important to me that these sessions are inclusive. We have girls from all age groups and all levels of academic and sporting ability. Sana is keeping wicket for one of the teams and she is one of our deaf students. These sessions have given Sana the confidence to put herself forward and play an important role for the team. Some of the girls who come to the sessions are often in trouble elsewhere in school, but they are as good as gold here. This after-school cricket club brings out the best in people, no matter who they are.”
