'girls aren't allowed in the cricket club'. At 11?!!? Surely that's not fair?

[overthemill]

my dd who is in yr 6 in a middle school wanted to go to lunchtime cricket club. She has been told she can't as she's a girl. I've checked with her form teacher and he said, sorry, that's right.
I can't believe it. How the heck are we meant to encourage girls into sport like this? She's fed up cos they only have 8 places in rounders team (the number of seats in their minibus) although she gets to play in after skl knock abouts.
Surely they cant discriminate on gender?
Anyone know?

How utterly bizaare
ds's cricket club actively encourages girls (to the point of offering free lessons while the boys have to pay!)

Is it a state school?

I'd be on to the council if the school continues to tow that line TBH.

Wouldn't happen in our school, boys have been on the netball team, after-school cricket is for everyone. Is this a state school?

Can't think it would make any difference at all at 11. When it comes to competitive play when they are older, she probably won't be allowed...there is no reason she can't for the school team unless it's about supervision in the changing rooms maybe? Seems very odd. Speak to the head

All players have to get a bronze/silver then gold certificate to play hard ball to enable them to be able to play safely. That is NOT determined by gender. Thats the only issue I can see with older children.

(ds is 8 and plays hardball in a under 12 league.. that also has a number of girls playing)

I was thinking more rugby and football because at a certain age the ruling bodies won't allow mixed gender games

it is a state school treated as secondary as its yrs 5 to 8. We change in yr 9.
She was in skl team yr 4, different school same LEA, and last year she never mentioned it.
I would like to complain, but i need ammunition. It is a lunchtime extra curricular club. Not the team but i'm guessing thats who they pick from.
Really hacked off tbh and can't find any guidelines on dcsf website.

Look at the schools mission statement and the policy on inclusion and equal opportunities...they are probably contradicting themselves

Get in touch with the national cricketing coaching and similar bodies -- they should know the answers, and this is astounding given the success of England cricket team (women's) in recent years.

Ask them why they haven't got a girls team?

i think i'd accept it if she simply didnt get on the team but this is just a lunchtime club.
I've emailed the school to ask for policy statement.

Outrageous! You need to embarrass them and hold a mirror up to their own stupidity!

My all-girls secondary had a cricket club! My university has a Women's Cricket club which is joint with the mens, and there are mixed gender teams. How utterly ridiculous.

I understand on contact sports but not here.
Would agree on looking at the equal ops policy.

That's terrible. I know lots of girls who play cricket and clubs are generally very keen to get them involved.

I'd be going nuts. There is zero excuse for this. Girls play mixed footy all the way through teens if they want. It's sexist and against equal ops, inclusion and engagement of girls in sport. I'd be phoning the govenors and writing a formal complaint. Unless actually the boys play this 1/2 term and then the girls play next 1/2 term and it's only a way to split them?

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