Leading the Future of Women’s Cricket Conference 2026

An unmissable national conference for everyone shaping the women’s and girls’ game

7–8 March 2026 | East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham

The future of women’s and girls’ cricket is being shaped right now – and next month, anyone passionate about driving that progress can come together for one unforgettable weekend.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), in collaboration with champion partner of women’s and girls’ cricket Metro Bank, is proud to present the Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund Network Live 2026: Leading the Future of Women’s Cricket - a flagship, two‑day national conference designed for anyone passionate about creating more opportunities for women and girls in cricket.

Whether you’re a coach, volunteer, club or county leader, captain, official, committee member or administrator, this event is your chance to connect with the wider cricket network, gain practical insight, and return to your environment ready to make a real difference.

To sign up and attend the conference, please click the link here. Places are limited. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the movement leading the future of women’s cricket.

Why attend?

Across the weekend, you’ll:

• Learn from world-class leaders inside and outside sport
• Build practical skills you can apply immediately at club, county or pathway level
• Connect with a national community of people committed to growing the women’s and girls’ game
• Leave inspired, informed and empowered to drive change in your own setting

Set against the backdrop of a landmark home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup year, the conference offers a rare opportunity to connect, drive and accelerate what comes next.

To find out more about the conference, the full programme and agenda can be found here.

Headline keynote speakers

Hosted by Sam Hurst – a rising star in sports presenting - prepare to be inspired by an outstanding keynote speaker line-up:

• Sara Davies MBE – Founder and owner of Crafter’s Companion - a household name in the crafting industry – and the youngest ever entrepreneur to become an investor on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den, Sara will bring her perspective on high-growth mindset, confidence and authentic leadership
• Nicola Lofthouse – Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force and the first female Commanding Officer of 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, Nicola is a true trailblazer and expert in performance under pressure, translating mission-critical decision-making into powerful lessons for sport and leadership
• Kate Richardson-Walsh OLY OBE – Olympic gold-medal-winning captain and one of Britain’s most respected leaders in elite team culture, Kate will bring a wealth of insight on leadership, trust and sustained success

A programme built for real impact

With a diverse range of workshops, panels and practical sessions, the conference spans every part of the women’s and girls’ cricket ecosystem including

• Hands-on coaching sessions led by experienced practitioners, including: ‘Maximising Nets’ (Tony Robson, Pete Forster); ‘Going to Ground’ (Jack Perham); ‘Preparing to Play’ (Amy Jones); ‘Standing Up for Spin’ (Jennifer Jackson‑Tullett) and ‘Confidence and Connection’ (Ellie Threlkeld)
• Officiating & Welfare: ‘Ask the Doctors…’ (Claire Bolton) and ‘Women in Umpiring – Changing the Landscape’ (Gabi Brown, Carly Beach)
• Leadership & Culture: The Activation Project’s ‘Leading Self’ and ‘Leading Through Others’; Sport England on governance and committee effectiveness; ‘Growing the Game for All Women’ (Shivani Uberoi)
• Insight & Inclusion: Women in Sport and Metro Bank’s ‘Seeing is Believing’; Disrupt Insight on the evolution of women’s recreational leagues.
• Club Growth: ‘Growing and Sustaining Girls’ Cricket at Your Club’; ‘Creating Belonging’; ‘Seize the Opportunity: Promotion and Fundraising in a World Cup Year’.

More than just a conference

The weekend will also include:

• A special evening celebration bringing together inspiring guests from across the game as we look forward to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and how it will firmly place women’s cricket at the heart of mainstream conversation, with an inspiring panel featuring cricketing legends, alongside music and street food
• An International Women’s Day wellness programme (Sunday 8 March), recognising and supporting the people powering progress on and off the pitch

Leshia Hawkins, ECB Managing Director, Recreational Game, said, "This flagship event will bring together a committed community of coaches, leaders, volunteers and practitioners who share a collective ambition: to strengthen the women’s and girls’ and support its continued growth across England and Wales. This weekend will, I hope, offer an important opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the progress we have made so far, exchange knowledge and experiences, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a thriving, inclusive future for our sport.”

Danielle Lee, Director of Brand and Marketing at Metro Bank said, “This partnership is about helping more women and girls feel that cricket is a place they belong, a place that builds confidence, opens doors and creates opportunities both on and off the pitch. By empowering coaches, volunteers and role models at club level, we’re helping create environments where girls feel encouraged, supported and inspired to pick up a bat and to stay in the game for years to come. The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund sits at the heart of this ambition.”

To be part of this game-changing event, please click the link here.

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Notes to editors:

About the ECB

The ECB runs successful England teams, oversees domestic and recreational cricket, and runs participation programmes that get children active and playing cricket. Through cricket we want to improve lives and connect communities.

About Metro Bank

Metro Bank provides corporate, commercial and SME banking and specialist mortgage lending, alongside retail and private banking services. Metro Bank offers relationship banking through a network of 78 stores in the UK, telephone banking from UK-based contact centres and digital banking via mobile app and online.