Cricketers 'excited' by dome plan but want access

Hina Shafi wants the needs of different communities to be considered when making bookings for the dome

Members of a cricket club said they were excited about plans for an indoor cricket dome in their town but wanted to be sure they would be given access to it.

The government announced last month that it was spending £1.5m on domes in Luton and Lancashire to "grow the game in areas of need and boost women and girls' cricket ahead of 2026 Women's T20 World Cup".

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock visited the Luton Women's and Girls' Cricket Club (LWGCC) on Monday to talk to its players about the plans.

One cricketer said she hoped access to the dome would be available at times that were suitable to the needs of women from different communities.

Lewsey Park in Luton will be the site of the new cricket dome

Labour's dome-building project is considerably less extensive than the 16 domes promised by Rishi Sunak during the last government, but Labour said no funding was provided for Sunak's programme.

During her visit, Peacock said: "The dome will mean that cricket can be played all year round and hopefully it will widen the appeal."

Mahira Hussain said the dome would enable play throughout all the seasons

Mahira Hussain first came to the LWGCC when her daughter was looking for somewhere to play cricket and she was invited to have a go herself.

She said the pathway for women who wanted to progress up the cricketing ladder was "not very clear" but she was "so excited for the dome".

She added: "It's going to open up a massive opportunity for so many people who don't have the grounds or the availability.

"This will help us carry on during all the different seasons and it will be amazing for us."

The sports minister Stephanie Peacock wielded a bat at the Lancaster Avenue ground

Hina Shafi joined the club after meeting its chairman at a football match.

She said making progress in the sport had been difficult because "the talent pathway was just really confusing" but the club set her on the right path.

She, too, said she was excited about the dome but she hoped the needs of different communities would be taken into account "in the booking system and throughout".

Kiki Christofi wants timeslots for the dome that are suitable for women

A footballing injury was the catalyst for Kiki Christofi's arrival at LWGCC.

She said: "One big key for us will be access to [the dome's] facilities and at particular timeslots, which are suitable to the needs of women and our intersecting identities."

Sarah Owen MP also tried her hand at a bit of batting during the minister's visit

After getting the chance to try out her own strokes during the minister's visit, Sarah Owen, the Labour MP for Luton North, said: "This is about ensuring equal access to sport and for women and girls to be able to do it somewhere when its dark and cold.

"This is fantastic to have this facility right on our doorstep in Luton."