Congratulations to the under 11 girls of Rushden & Highham Townwhose first season has just been completed. It was certainly an eventful, including helping an honorary guard on the ground of Northhamptonshire County, grows from 4 members to 12, and winning their last game of the season (against Earls Barton CC) by a single run!
The part of the girls was formed by Ben and Lisa Hodges. Ben had coached a few seasons under 9’s and volunteering as an All Stars activator, and could see that more girls came through, but could also see that they were sometimes intimidated by the loud and over-holding boys. It was clear that there were girls with talent, but they needed their own space to find it.
The girls play on short shares in Rushden, with an astroturf -wicket, an astroturfnet and a nice bar – always appreciated by parents during the training sessions of Friday evening!
Ben and the girls threw themselves into the deep end by entering a competition in their first season and playing in the Corby and District Youth U11 League (East). Unfortunately, one of the teams stopped and this season was a bit erratic, but they kept their own.
“Music and dance play a major role in the team!” Says coach Ben Hodges. “Cartwheels in the outfield between overs can often be seen. We are lucky (or unhappy sometimes when we try to concentrate the girls) that six of our girls all dance together Star light In Rushden. So, whatever the last song is that they dance, you can guarantee that it will be heard and the six will do their best to teach the others the movements.‘
“Special mention to Jennifer, who sang her role as Anne Boleyn during one training session for the performance of the musical ‘Six’ of her school while bowling with her teammates.”
They were lucky to be accompanied by the North Hands County Cricket Club Steelbacks in the community team that assisted in setting up the matches, including delivering some of their girls from the Young Leaders program to act as scorers and referees.
They were also lucky to be successful this season for a Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund Award, who finance 20 hours of mentoring of community coaches from Steelbacks in the community. A big thanks to Liam, Patricia, Beth and Louise.
In the meantime, Ben continues to coach and manage the team and has secured financing via Northmeltonshire Sport to supplement his coaching qualifications for next season.
Ben says that his highlight of the season was the first victory of the team, who met Earls Barton when Jess Hambleton-Clark skipped a six in the last: “It was the last game of the season and the victory felt incredible. See how chuffed the girls were and see how hard they had worked all season, and it was finally paid off.”
He also wants to give a shout to the committee Rushden & Highham Town Cricket Club For supporting and embracing the girls’ team this season, and to all parents to paint their daughters for competitions, setting up and adding a great family atmosphere at the club.
Objective for 2026 includes the development of a softball team for women, double the number of girls playing and perhaps playing some hardball cricket. Good luck for everyone involved!
If someone is interested in becoming a member of the club, they must contact Ben Hodges on ladiesandgirls@rhenhighhamtowncc.com
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