Women and girls from across the country travelled to Birmingham for The Fifty, a groundbreaking cricket tournament delivered through a collaboration between Sporting Pathways and SupportHERS Collective,showcasing the power of sport to unite, inspire and create opportunities where everyone belongs. Director of Sporting Pathways, Salma Bi BEM and SupportHERS Collective Co-Founders Kiki Christofi and Hina Shafi united to create the most impactful Fifty Tournament yet!
Celebrating The Fifty’s sixth tournament, over 50 players ventured from cities including London, Coventry, Manchester, Derby and beyond to take part in a competition that celebrated talent at every level of the game. From grassroots players taking their first steps into representative cricket, and 4 players playing cricket for the first time, to academy athletes developing their pathway towards the elite game. The tournament welcomed all, from improving visibility to creating a truly inclusive environment rarely seen in the sport, especially for underrepresented communities.
Hosted at Lyndworth Cricket Club, the occasion saw 6 matches in the soaring sun, which led to the nail-biting final match to decide the winner as 3 teams were tied on points! Birmingham Kestrels set a jaw-dropping high score for the most runs in a match and clinched the title, after beating three-time Fifty Champions Manchester Eagles to retain their title for the second-time. A staggering total of 822 runs were made on the day – a true testament to spirit of everyone for the Fifty Trophy.
More than just a tournament, The Fifty is a national gathering of ambition, resilience and community. Ranging from players just 15 years old to 47, players competed fiercely while forging new friendships, connections with new communities, growing from year to year and sharing experiences and networks that stretched far beyond geographical boundaries. From fun stations of face painting and cricket bat art to tournament memorabilia, a bouncy castle and ice cream van to professional football club foundation, Aston Villa FC joining us, the day helped connect, strengthen community ties and support people, organisations and businesses.
The event highlighted the growing appetite for accessible opportunities within women’s cricket and demonstrated the transformative impact of collaboration between organisations committed to breaking down barriers in sport. By bringing together players from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience, Sporting Pathways CIC and SupportHERS Collective created a platform where every participant felt valued, seen and empowered.
As the final ball was bowled, one message rang clear: women’s cricket is thriving, and The Fifty tournament collaboration with Sporting Pathways and SupportHERS Collective has set a powerful benchmark for what inclusive, player-centred competition can achieve.
A special thank you to Pakistan Football Federation players Mariam Sara, Layla Banaras, Zahmena Malik, Amina Hanif and Usama Mir from Lahore Qalandars, alongside former Pakistan international cricketer Nasir Jamshed, for joining us and supporting our mission to create more opportunities for women and girls in sport!
