Friday 5 December 2014 11:30, UK
Surrey have appointed their first director of women's cricket – with former England and Surrey all-rounder Ebony Rainford-Brent returning to the club to fill the role.
In her new position, Rainford-Brent will work alongside Academy Director Gareth Townsend and the Performance Department, advising on all Women’s Cricket played at the club. She will also work with the Surrey Cricket Board on the development of the women’s game and strategies to increase participation at all levels.
A winner of both the Women’s Ashes and the Women’s World Cup, Rainford-Brent was a graduate of the Surrey Academy. A captain of Surrey, she has remained closely involved in the game, recently joining the Test Match Special as well as working with the Lord’s Taverners.
Speaking this week, Rainford-Brent said: “I want to make sure that Surrey CCC is seen as one of the world’s leading domestic clubs when it comes to the development of women’s cricket at all levels.
“With Surrey Academy graduate Natalie Sciver already an integral part of the England Women’s side and a number of young players on International pathway programmes, the future of Surrey Women’s Cricket is bright and I look forward to working hard to make it even brighter.”
Rainford-Brent’s appointment has been made possible by the securing of a stand-alone sponsorship for Women’s First XI Cricket with Pemberton Greenish, a law firm who previously supported the Surrey CCC Academy.
Pemberton Greenish will now sponsor the Surrey Women’s team, who finished second in last season’s Royal London One Day Cup (the premier domestic tournament for female cricketers).
The introduction of a new sponsor has also allowed Surrey to announce a brand new competition for Women’s Cricket – the Pemberton Greenish London Cup – which will be competed for annually by Surrey and Middlesex.
The first ever Pemberton Greenish London Cup will take place, in T20 format, at the Kia Oval on Monday May 18th. Entrance will be free of charge to all and Surrey fans are encouraged to come down and support the Club against cross city rivals Middlesex, who also play in the First Division of the Royal London One Day Cup.
Surrey CCC Chairman Richard Thompson added: “It gives me great pride that Surrey are now able to appoint a Director of Women’s Cricket and it is only appropriate that someone such as Ebony – who has been involved at the club since she was a teenager – should fulfil that role.
“I would also like to thank Pemberton Greenish for their sponsorship which has made this appointment possible. They have been a valued partner and great friend of the club for many years – their support is hugely valued.”
“Over the past 169 years, many men have taken honour in describing themselves as Surrey Cricketers. In the 21st Century and beyond, I look forward to many great female cricketers joining them as they create their own place in our club’s fantastic history.”
Damian Greenish, Chairman of Pemberton Greenish, commented: “I am delighted to extend Pemberton Greenish’s support for Surrey CCC for another three years. Our sponsorship of the Academy over the last ten years has been a mutually beneficial experience as we have seen the Academy grow to provide so much home-grown talent to the Surrey side.
“We now look forward to supporting Surrey women’s cricket and to raising that to the same levels under the exciting leadership of Ebony. As a firm, we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and diversity and this new venture by Surrey very much reflects our own ethos and values. We are very pleased to be a part of what promises to be an incredibly exciting time for Surrey!"
