Cornwall Women’s Cricket is set to embark on an exciting new chapter as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launches its ground breaking three-tier structure for the women’s game.

The new system is designed to significantly expand opportunities for female cricketers across the country, providing a clear pathway for development and progression. For the first time, the women’s game is now closer to the structure of the men’s game.
Cornwall has been placed in Tier 3 – classified as semi-professional – for the first four years of the new structure. Tier 3 is split into three divisions: National, North, and South. Cornwall currently competes in the South Group, with the opportunity to gain promotion to the National Division—offering further development and exposure for players.

Cornwall Women’s Head Coach Jack Thomas welcomed the changes, saying:
“It’s incredibly exciting—not just for Cornwall, but for women’s cricket as a whole. We have a huge opportunity to put Cornwall on the map for women’s cricket and shape the future of the game in our county. Huge thanks to Kellie and Robin for the tremendous work they've done in keeping the squad together. I’m really looking forward to developing the squad further and progressing under this new tier system.
With strong numbers in our Women’s and Girls’ softball cricket, and with more teams now playing hardball, we’re seeing great momentum. Hopefully, we can continue to inspire this trend and offer even more opportunities in the hardball format through this new programme.”

Cornwall Cricket’s Managing Director Joe Skinner added: 
“Going into this new season in the new women’s structure is an exciting opportunity. To play against different counties and from different tiers is one we are going to relish. We have had the opportunity to encourage players back into Cornwall colours which is pleasing and positive for us. The pathway is now a lot more structured and if you are a player starting out you now have a clear picture of your route into professional women’s cricket. It is important to pay tribute to Robin Trethowan and Kellie Williams who have given so much of their time and effort to Women’s Cornwall Cricket over the years. We would also like to wish Jack Thomas and the players all the very best for the 2025 season, go well.” 
As part of the new structure, teams will also take part in a national knockout cup, featuring sides from all three tiers. This will offer further chances to compete at a higher level and showcase their talent.

Cornwall Cricket continues to offer a strong development pathway for women and girls, from grassroots involvement to county-level competition. That investment is already showing results—six of the current 20-player squad are under the age of 18, all of whom have progressed through Cornwall’s structured youth and development programmes. It’s a clear reflection of the county’s commitment to developing homegrown talent and building a future where young female cricketers can aspire to reach the top levels of the game.

The introduction of the tier system marks a major step forward for women’s cricket and opens the door to a brighter, more competitive future for Cornwall’s female players.

Unfortunately, Cornwall Women’s first game of the season was a washout last weekend, but they travel to face Cricket East this weekend, hoping to finally get their season underway.

For more information about Cornwall Cricket Board’s Women and Girls program, please  follow us on social media or visit the website www.cornwallcricket.co.uk

Cornwall Cricket Board remains committed to fostering opportunities for individuals aged 5 and above to engage with cricket across the county. As the official governing body for cricket in Cornwall, the Board is dedicated to promoting a love for the sport among players of all ages and backgrounds.