Women in Australian cricket have just scored a major win – and we’re not talking about them dominating the Twenty20.
The Australian Cricket body, Cricket Australia (CA), today announced that female domestic players will receive a significant pay rise, in an effort to further close the pay gap between men and women.
The CA announced they will be implementing a $600,000 investment into women’s cricket, which will see top state players more than double their payments to $17,000.
But it doesn’t end there – contracted players are also eligible to earn retainers of up to $50,000 (plus their tour payments), raising their potential salaries to almost $85,000.
Female one-dayer players will also receive the maximum $7,000 retainer. Those contracted to play in the upcoming T20 bashes will also have their retainers bumped up to $30,000 to $10,000.
“Cricket Australia and the State and Territory Associations are proud of this important step as we work together to further professionalise women’s cricket,” said CA CEO, James Sutherland, “Female players at both domestic and national level devote a huge amount of time and energy to their cricket and this move recognises their commitment and contribution to cricket as Australia’s favourite sport.”
“We are still working towards the day when Australia’s female cricketers will be able to earn a full-time, professional living from cricket. But the performances of our female stars justify this step and the day will come when future, full-time professional female cricketers will look back and thank those who went before them,” said the CEO, “We want cricket to be the number one sport for girls and women in Australia and we believe that the WBBL can assist this goal by creating an inspiring visible pathway for the next generation of players, fans and volunteers.”
This investment into women’s cricket will mark a 36 per cent rise on last year.
