Nottinghamshire replace Loughborough University as regional host for East Midlands

Nottinghamshire will work alongside Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire to deliver one of eight teams in the women's regional structure

Nottinghamshire CCC will replace Loughborough University as the regional host for the East Midlands in the women's regional structure.

A women's team has been based at the University since 2016, when Loughborough Lightning were one of six teams formed for the Kia Super League.

Following the regional restructuring of women's domestic cricket ahead of the 2020 season, Loughborough remained host of the new East Midlands side – simply named Lightning – while working alongside county partners Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

However, in conjunction with the ECB, Loughborough University has decided "the future development of this programme is best served at a county cricket club" and from November 1, Nottinghamshire will take over as host of the as yet unnamed regional side.

Lightning have a mixed on-field record over the past three season. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (50-over), they finished fourth (out of four) in 2020 and fourth (of eight) in 2021. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup (T20), however, they have just one match in two seasons and finished bottom of their group on both occasions.

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Nottinghamshire will take over as regional host for the East Midlands [Matthew Lewis/Getty Images]

Head of women's domestic cricket, Jo Kirk, said: "We'd like to place on record our thanks to Loughborough University for their hard work, commitment and collaboration across the last seven years. As well as being an important part of the Kia Super League, they have played a vital role in forming Lightning, and since 2019 establishing the regional model in their part of the country.

"We're really looking forward to working with the team at Nottinghamshire CCC as they move to leading within their region, alongside Derbyshire CCC, Leicestershire CCC and Lincolnshire.

"The continued growth of the women's regional structure and the impact it has had on the overall health of women's cricket in England and Wales is something we should be really proud of, and we're looking forward to continuing that momentum with a new regional partner in the East Midlands."

Ian Read, CEO of Lightning, added: "Athletes are always at the centre of our thinking and it's clear that working directly with a first-class county is the best option to continue their development and the development of the game.

"We have worked closely with the ECB throughout the process of making our decision to pass the baton and are proud to continue working with Nottinghamshire alongside all the other East Midlands partners.

"Loughborough University remains committed to cricket for both genders and will continue to develop players and compete as a university as we have for many years."

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