More Than 250 girls enjoy an evening of cricket and confidence at Sophia Gardens
From first-time bowlers to future cricket stars, more than 250 girls from across Wales enjoyed an unforgettable evening at Sophia Gardens on 8 May, where cricket, confidence and fun were at the heart of the annual Girlguiding Cymru and Cricket Wales event.
Now in its fourth year, the event provided girls with the opportunity to try cricket in a fun, welcoming and inclusive environment. For many of those attending, it was their first experience of the sport, making every successful catch, bowl and batting shot even more memorable.
Throughout the evening, girls took part in a variety of cricket activities and team challenges designed to build confidence, encourage teamwork and, most importantly, ensure everyone had fun. The atmosphere was full of energy and encouragement, with girls supporting one another as they learned new skills and stepped outside their comfort zones.
The event was delivered through the continued partnership between Girlguiding Cymru, Cricket Wales and Glamorgan Cricket's Community Team, helping to create opportunities for girls to discover cricket and experience the benefits of sport in a positive and supportive setting.
A particular highlight of the evening was the opportunity to meet Glamorgan players Eve Jackson, Tom Norton and Alex Horton. Their presence inspired the girls and demonstrated the exciting opportunities available within cricket, encouraging participants to dream big about what they could achieve in the future.
Ahead of the event, Cricket Wales also visited Radyr Comprehensive School with the Women's Cricket World Cup trophy, helping to build excitement and raise awareness of the growing women's game. Pupils had the opportunity to see the trophy up close, take photographs and learn more about cricket before attending the Sophia Gardens event.
“Seeing over 250 girls enjoying cricket together at Sophia Gardens was incredibly special. Events like this really show what’s possible when organisations, staff, volunteers and communities come together with a shared purpose.
”What stood out most was the energy and the smiles, especially from girls experiencing cricket for the first time. Moments like that are what it’s all about.
”I’m also really proud of the work behind the scenes – our staff and volunteers made something genuinely memorable. It’s a great example of how we’re bringing our values of Together, Lead and Care to life, and we’re excited to keep creating more opportunities for girls right across Wales.”
The event would not have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of the Girlguiding Cymru volunteer team. Their support throughout the planning and delivery of the event helped create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for every girl who attended. We extend our sincere thanks to all the volunteers who generously gave their time and energy to make the day such a success.
Events like this demonstrate Girlguiding Cymru's commitment to providing girls with opportunities to challenge themselves, develop confidence and try new experiences. Through strong partnerships and the support of volunteers, we continue to help girls discover their potential and build skills that will last a lifetime.
For many of the girls who attended, this was just the beginning of their cricket journey. Whether they go on to play at school, join a local club or take part in programmes such as All Stars or Dynamos Cricket, the impact of the day will extend far beyond Sophia Gardens.
Most importantly, the event showed that cricket is a sport for everyone, helping to inspire the next generation of girls across Wales to get involved, be active and believe in what they can achieve.
Our Cricket Wales challenge pack for 2026 will be released soon! Watch this space.
Quotes from members
“I liked hitting the ball really far with the bat and running with my friends. It was my first time playing cricket and it was lots of fun!”
“I was a bit nervous at first because I’d never played cricket before, but everyone was really kind and helped me learn. My favourite part was trying all the different activities. It was a lot of fun meeting the players.”
“It was great to have the chance to play at Sophia Gardens. Meeting the players was really inspiring and it made me want to keep playing cricket in the future.”
“The event was a brilliant opportunity to try something new and meet girls from across Wales. It was amazing to see so many girls getting involved and building confidence through sport.”
