LONDON: The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations or the FICA, the players’ representative body for world cricket, has releases its first-ever employment report on women’s cricket on the back of conducting a global survey during the 2017-18 season.
The report is based on a comprehensive analysis of significant statistical data research, including quantitative and qualitative surveying of more than 124 current international, professional, and semi-professional players from across FICA member and other countries, and senior player insights. It looks at the game and player employment globally and at individual country by country level. It provides an evidence based approach to identifying key issues for the players and the game.
While the women’s game has made considerable progress, FICA has warned of any ‘complacency’ to creep in which will hinder it in the long run. Amongst its 20 key findings, it highlighted its ‘amateur’ nature in domestic cricket structures in many member countries, which is why there are only 120 professional players playing the sport at present.
FICA has also raised concerns about the limited, short term and insecure nature of player employment and in many countries, these include the lack of basic rights and protections for players, the lack of viable careers, and the need to work outside the game. The game needs to improve for catering to female specific considerations, including in relation to infrastructure and management.
There are also concerns regarding the inequality in the amount of cricket played between top countries due to which there is a high risk of large gaps forming in player development pathways in many countries. It is also believed that FICA will fight for reducing the large difference in pay amongst male and female cricketers.
Former Australian women’s captain and a FICA independent board member, Lisa Sthalekar said:
“We are really proud to be releasing the first Women’s Global Employment Report.”
“The players are at the heart of the growth of the game and we acknowledge the hard work that has been done to date by other stakeholders and various governing bodies to develop the women’s game. However, there is a long way to ensure the women’s game reaches its potential globally and to establish viable career paths for players around the world. The women’s game has a great opportunity to continue to create its own identity.”
FICA executive chairman Tony Irish said:
“It is clearly an exciting time for the women’s game and the players play an important role in continuing to drive the game forward around the world.”
“FICA’s Women’s Global Employment Report highlights many of key issues for players, their careers, and the game. Addressing these issues to achieve sustainable growth continues to require collective will, and global and domestic focus.”
