More women should be involved in cricket administration, says Karen Smithies

Karen Smithies, former England World Cup winning skipper, who has been working as team administrator of South Africa’s domestic side Titans since 2006, said more women should be encouraged to take up administrative positions within the game.

"It's been such a privilege to have been with the Titans for 15 years," she said. "Sadly, I feel that opportunities for women in senior management level within cricket structures are extremely limited and something I hope will change in the future. It is imperative to recognise and get ex-women cricketers in South Africa involved in the game at all levels.”

"These people are pioneers of the women's game in this country, and deserve a lot more credit than they get. Basically, more women should be involved in the women's game."

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Smithies began traveling between England and South Africa in 1998 when she used to player for and coach the University of Pretoria. She then moved to the country permanently in 2003 and has been involved in the Titans program since 2006. Having made a successful transition from player to administrator, Smithies said she has been using her experience of having played the game at the highest level to help in her current role.

"I was offered the opportunity by the late Mrs Elise Lombard, who was CEO. Sadly, she passed away on Women’s Day in 2012. She encouraged me to use my cricketing experience as well as giving me confidence in my role and within a 'man’s world'. For a large part, I think I have done just that and made some very good friends and fond memories,” she added.

Smithies, who was awarded honorary life membership by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2017, believes it is important to acknowledge the contributions of earlier generation of women who helped to grow the game to what it is now.

"The celebration of those women cricketers who came before us should never be forgotten, because it is their passion and drive which has led us to where we are today. Women's cricket and cricket in general has been a major part of my life, and I just want to see more and more women and girls playing and being part of this great game."

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“To think that my ex-England teammate, Clare Connor, will be the next MCC President is a massive step, and one that will go down in history."

Smithies said the women’s game has come a long way in international cricket, but there needs to be a lot of work done in domestic and grass root level for its continuous growth.

"The women's game internationally is in a really good space right now. We saw a full house at Lord’s for the 2017 Women's World Cup final, and the recent full house at the MCG. With proper national contracts in place for the majority of countries, women's cricket will only get more professional and stronger," Smithies said.

"Domestically, I really think there is a lot of work to be done at grass roots level, right through to senior level. In my opinion, women's cricket has not been taken seriously for a long time and only now are the top players seeing a change.”

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"More focus should also be provided to the next level of players to keep them in the system. You need contracts, a much stronger domestic structure and more fixtures against stronger opposition, as well as a strong coaching and managing structure."

Smithies, who played 84 international matches for England, feels domestic competitions are becoming viable in terms of its commercial aspects while providing opportunity to the players.

"Competitions such as the WBBL also create strength and opportunities.  I think it is also becoming a very marketable commodity with sponsors looking to join the growth,” she said.

51-year-old Smithies also talked about how growing up with the game helped her become a cricketer.

"My love for cricket came from my Dad. He was captain, groundsman and Chairman of a local club. Mum made the teas and my sister was the scorer! It was only natural that I followed, and I ended up as the captain of the Under-18 boys team at the same club," she concluded.