25 women sign domestic retainer contracts as ECB pushes through regional hub plans

The 25 players represent the first set of players to be handed professional domestic contacts, with 15 more to follow in October when the retainers will become full-time deals

The eight regions of the new women’s elite domestic structure have announced their regional retainer signings, with England internationals Alex Hartley, Linsey Smith, Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Sophia Dunkley and Bryony Smith among them.

The 25 players selected represent the first set of players to be handed professional domestic contacts, with more to follow at the end of whatever becomes of an unusual, truncated season.

This summer was meant to herald the start of the new regional hub network, with 40 full-time professional deals being awarded as part of the £20m effort to bridge the sport’s gender divide.

However, with the governing body facing potential lost earnings of between £100m and £380m as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown, the ambitious women’s and girls’ action plan has been slightly modified.

The 40 full-time contracts will still be awarded, but in October, with the 25 players announced in this group of initial retainers then progressing automatically onto the terms of the contracts.

The recruitment process was led by the eight regions and their recently appointed regional directors of cricket. Once the remaining 15 contracts are awarded in time for their October start date, players will be split evenly, with five at each of the eight hubs.

Hollie Armitage, Beth Langston and Linsey Smith have been signed up by the new North East hub, which is overseen by James Carr.

Hartley, Georgie Boyce, Emma Lamb and Ellie Threlkeld have received deals from the North West centre, while in the West Midlands, Eve Jones, Marie Kelly and Issy Wong – included in England’s back-to-training group – have been handed retainers.

Scottish sisters Kathryn and Sarah Bryce are the only two players thus far with deals at the East Midlands regional hub. Dani Gibson, Sophie Luff and Fi Morris have been handed deals by South West and Wales.

^{Sophia Dunkley is one of 25 players handed a retainer deal}

Sussex Women captain Georgia Adams is one of three – alongside Tara Norris and Paige Scholfield – to sign retainers with South Central, whose regional director of cricket is Adam Carty.

The London and South East hub, comprising Surrey and Kent, have offered retainers to four players, three of whom – Davidson-Richards, Dunkley and Bryony Smith – are also on England Women rookie contracts, while Farrant is also included – she last played international cricket in 2018.

London and East, headed up by Danni Warren, have signed up Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani and Cordelia Griffith.

All 25 will adhere to strength and conditioning programmes and take part in online modules relating to anti-corruption and anti-doping, while also making off-field appearances where required.

The Cricketer understands retainers will be worth £1,000 per month, with full-time deals more valuable at £18,000 per year.

Managing director of women's cricket Clare Connor, said: “In what has been a challenging year for the whole game, it is pleasing to be able to support 25 women’s domestic cricketers by offering them regional retainers.

“In doing so, we are taking another step towards contracting our first cohort of full-time, professional players in the women’s domestic game.

“We know that in order for the women's game to continue to grow, we need a strong and thriving domestic set-up to enable more women to be able to make a living from the game.

“Girls need to see visible role models and to know that a talent and performance system exists for them to fulfil their potential. I'm excited to see how these players progress with greater support over the next couple of years – it’s another significant step forward for our sport.”

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