The latest National Cricket Census has found that 30 percent of cricket’s participant base are women – and six out of ten new cricketers are now girls or women.
 
The increase is one of the highest year-on-year growth figures Cricket Australia has experienced.

The census also revealed a record breaking 1,558,821 Australians actively engaged in cricket competitions or programs - up 9 percent from the previous year.
 
This includes 854,951 participants engaging in cricket programs in schools and 703,870 players engaging in regular competitions or club-based programs at junior and senior level.
 
The figures come just days after Cricket Australia with state and territory associations announced $35 million of investment over the next three years to grow and support community cricket.
 
The substantial injection of money is aimed at improving facilities and cricketing experience for players, coaches and volunteers across the country.
 
“We are thrilled to see the number of Australians playing cricket continue to grow year-on-year,” said Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive James Sutherland.

”To have more than 1.5 million Australians participating in cricket last season is a fantastic result, highlighting the passion Australians have for cricket.
 
“We are pleased with the uptake of young children experiencing cricket through programs specifically designed for schools. More than 850,000 participated. These entry level numbers are outstanding, and we hope the programs help instil a love of the game that will see them continue to play and enjoy their cricket.

“We are working hard with the community to ensure this interest and enthusiasm is transferred to regular playing opportunities.
 
“We have more women and girls playing cricket than ever before, and The Growing Cricket for Girls Fund, with support from Commonwealth Bank, has been an overwhelming success and a program we will continue to invest heavily in.
 
“We are particularly pleased with 619 new junior girl’s teams creating opportunities for the next Meg Lanning or Ellyse Perry to learn the game.

“The participation growth is a fitting reflection on the hard work put in by so many around the country. Our clubs, associations and schools, our dedicated volunteers, coaches and umpires all make an invaluable contribution in ensuring the quality of the experience for those that pick up a bat and ball each season.
 
“Our coaching ranks have also increased substantially, with free community coaching courses in 2017-18 helping to raise our number of accredited coaches by more than 24 percent. Our umpiring numbers have remained consistent with 3,577 accredited umpires across Australia in 2017-18, but there continues to be opportunity.”
 
Other key statistics from the National Cricket Census include:
- Multicultural participation rose by 4 percent to 268,596, making up 22 percent of all participants
- Indigenous participation increased by 1 percent to 64,921 to make up 5.2 percent of all participants
- Participants with a disability remained constant at 25,846 making up 2.1 percent of all participants
- Accredited coaches increased by 24 percent to 34,380 and accredited umpires were constant at 3,577 

Sutherland added: “We are committed to being Australia’s number one participation sport, by providing the best learning and experiences, and these latest figures indicate we are striving for success in this area right across Australian Cricket.”