The London Youth Games indoor cricket competition gave young London-based girls a way to grow their love of the sport.

The competition is formatted to be as inclusive as possible for all 190 girls and the event, held on separate days to the boys' event, meant girls did not have the additional worry of being watched by other male competitors.

The ball used is also softer than the average competition cricket ball with the ‘wind’ ball seen as better than a hardball for progressing players, as they find it easier to catch and there’s a smaller risk of injury.

Players can choose to wear any sports clothing they feel comfortable in and not enforcing girls to wear cricket whites makes the sport accessible and inclusive. Wearing white can put many young girls off playing, especially if they are conscious of playing during their period. This also reduces the cost barrier to entry to having to purchase cricket whites.

Maisie, a member of the Havering teamr, said: “I feel proud to play cricket. Some people don’t think girls should play cricket, but when you achieve well, you get to show that you can do it. As the captain, it’s helped me with my leadership and it’s nice to see the team develop.”

Hackney cricketer Maisie added: “I’ve enjoyed that the competition’s rules aren’t that complicated and also not having to wear all the kit, because it’s always uncomfortable and makes you feel really hot. It’s helped me with my leadership skills definitely. It’s taught me to help people and communicate better than I ever did before.”

Hackney team manager Nat Defriend said: “There’s no way my daughter would've got into cricket if it had been about having to catch a really hard ball. She had to have an easier way in. This whole competition of indoor cricket has been really helpful for these girls’ confidence because they get to play a sport they wouldn’t usually do.”

Andy Dalby-Walsh, London Youth Games CEO, added: “Girls play around half the amount of cricket as boys in secondary school, so this girls competition aims to challenge this. Women’s cricket is a fast-growing sport in England that benefits young girls wellbeing as well as giving them a social outlet outside of school. We’re proud to offer girls cricket events to inspire new generations to feel that cricket is for them and to push for equality in the sport.”

There were record-breaking attendances at England Women’s cricket matches in 2022, showing the growing appetite for the sport, with over 50,000 watching the women play. The aspiration is that young cricketers playing in the London Youth Games can also develop a lifelong love of sport.