Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
EWPP works with ECB on formation of improved contracting process.
Seventeen England Women’s players have received Central Contracts for 2021/22, a process which saw the PCA and England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP) collaborate with the ECB on the formation and allocation of contracts.
South East Stars’ all-rounder Sophia Dunkley has been awarded a full Central Contract for the first time, with left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon missing out but will continue to represent Lightning in the domestic structure. This represents the only change in personnel from the last round of contracts which were awarded in February 2020.
The PCA and the EWPP have worked with the ECB to refine the England Women Central Contracts, ensuring the allocation of contracts is transparent and objective.
The EWPP was established in 2017 by England Women’s players who hold a Central Contract with the ECB. The aim of the partnership is to look after the needs of professional England cricketers, ensuring they are represented in contractual and commercial negotiations with the ECB, and to also ensure that the same individuals’ player rights are protected.
The current EWPP Committee is made up of PCA Chief Executive Rob Lynch, PCA Non-Executive Director and former England player Isa Guha, PCA’s Head of Player Rights and Women’s Cricket Emma Reid, FCB Inferno agency Founder and Chairman Frazer Gibney, as well as current player representation in the form of captain Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole, Amy Jones and Georgia Elwiss. The PCA is responsible for the day-to-day management of the partnership.
The Committee was expanded in early 2021 to allow for further player input on issues that affect current female international cricketers.
One of the areas that the EWPP has been able to progress alongside the ECB is the process behind allocation of England Women Central Contracts, with all parties working together to improve the players’ understanding of how contracts are awarded.
Furthermore, the PCA is working closely with the players on the EWPP Committee to identify additional areas of future potential improvement, coupled with feedback received from a player survey conducted earlier this year.
Feedback from the survey will help shape future collaboration with the ECB on players’ contracts and the development of the EWPP and PCA’s women’s strategy moving forwards.
England Women captain and EWPP Committee member Heather Knight said: “I would like to congratulate Sophia Dunkley for earning her first full Central Contract with England. Sophia has been an outstanding performer in domestic cricket and when called upon for England, so it is great to see her rewarded with a contract.
“Sophia, myself, and the rest of the England Women’s players will no doubt benefit from the work that the PCA and EWPP have put in alongside the ECB to make the contract allocation process more objective and transparent. Player involvement in this area is really important, so to have more players on the EWPP Committee can only be a positive thing.”
PCA Chief Executive Rob Lynch said: “I’m pleased that the PCA and the EWPP have been able to work with the ECB in improving the process behind the allocation of England Women Central Contracts.
“Player input is vital in shaping how we engage with the ECB and in ensuring that our members get a fair deal and that their rights are protected.”
Find out more about the England Women Player Partnership (EWPP).
Name of Author: Professional Cricketers Association
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey as the Cricketers’ Association, represents past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales. In the 1970s, the PCA established a standard employment contract and minimum wage for professional cricketers. It also helped create a pension scheme in 1995 and launched the magazine All Out Cricket and the ACE UK Educational Programme in 2002.
