29 October 2024: Cricket Ireland has launched an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy for the game. This will serve as a national roadmap to support Munster Cricket’s efforts in creating a welcoming environment for all. Clubs and communities will have access to valuable resources to promote inclusivity and ensure that cricket is accessible and inviting for everyone.
The strategy has been developed with input from across the cricketing community, drawing on a game-wide consultation and the support of Munster Cricket member Sukhi Byrne (Independent Director at Munster Cricket Union and member of Cork Harlequins Cricket Club) who is part of the national EDI Working Group for cricket.
Focus areas include:
- Promoting gender equality in women’s and girls’ cricket
- Building Diversity and Inclusion awareness and understanding across the sport
- Improving inclusive practices through enhanced processes and policies.
Speaking about the strategy, Joseph Moynihan, General Manager of Munster Cricket said:
“We welcome this national EDI strategy, particularly as we grow and expand the game of cricket across communities in Munster. Our focus is on building inclusive practices so that cricket in our province reflects the diverse society we serve, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued.”
Sukhi Byrne (Independent Director at Munster Cricket Union and member of Cork Harlequins Cricket Club) added:
“This EDI strategy represents a significant step forward and I’m glad to have played a role in its development. We have collaborated with Cricket Ireland to ensure this is a practical action-focused approach with resources made accessible to every club. This starts with an E-Learning Course for all clubs which will be available in November. There’s a journey to travel and together we can create a welcoming environment for all
Key Actions from the EDI Strategy in the short to medium term include:
1. Education, Training, and Communication:
- E-Learning Course: Set to launch in November 2024, this course will be available to all clubs, aiming to engage a significant number of club officials and adult members by February 2025.
- Anti-Discrimination Campaign: This campaign will be rolled out at all levels, with dedicated resources and collateral to promote awareness and action across clubs in advance of 2025 cricket season.
2. Inclusive and Diverse Cricket Communities:
- Inclusive Practice Toolkit (IPT): This toolkit, offering practical guidance and best practices for promoting inclusion at all levels of the game, will be piloted in clubs by early 2025.
3. Policy, Practice, Reporting, and Accountability:
- Anti-Discrimination Practicing Guide: We are creating a guide that will strengthen the tools, guidelines, and support available to disciplinary committees to ensure processes are fair, transparent, and consistent across all levels of cricket.
- Reporting progress: Cricket Ireland will regularly share updates on progress, with annual ‘Activation Workshops’ in each region to gather insights and feedback from members.
For more information and to read the EDI Strategy or a summary document please visit the Cricket Ireland website here.
