Project Inspire 2.0

Great community cricket clubs don’t happen by chance. They’re built by volunteers who step up, lead, and take action to create environments where everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute, and grow.

Project Inspire 2.0 is for the women and clubs driving community cricket forward. We provide the tools, support, and network to strengthen women’s leadership capability and accelerate opportunities for women and girls in local cricket communities.

Overview

Building on Project Inspire 1.0

Project Inspire launched during the 2024/2025 season to increase the number of women in leadership roles, including coaches, umpires, administrators, and volunteers, in alignment with Australian Cricket’s Women & Girls Action Plan target of 40% women in leadership roles at all levels of cricket by 2034. Importantly, Project Inspire is not only about growing women’s leadership within community clubs. It is also about the growth and experience of girls.

The participation of girls and representation of women are closely connected. When girls feel welcomed, supported, and able to belong, they are more likely to stay in the game, and over time, more likely to step into leadership roles as players, coaches, and volunteers. In the same way, when women are visible and valued in leadership roles, it helps create environments where girls can see what is possible and feel that they belong.

Project Inspire 2.0 builds directly from the strong foundations of the inaugural program. The program will continue to focus on developing the leadership capability, confidence, and connection of women in community cricket, while strengthening the environments that they are part of.

Project Inspire 2.0 is not a traditional leadership course. It is a leader-led, club-backed program where participants build their leadership capability by leading real, practical change within their club. 

Facilitated by Belinda Clark and Chris Rubick, Project Inspire 2.0 combines structured leadership development with real-world application. Participants will engage in guided coaching sessions while actively applying their learning within their club. With the support of a club sponsor, participants will implement an evidence-based Playbook designed to strengthen environments for women and girls.  

This shift ensures participants are not only building their capability as leaders but also creating meaningful and lasting impact for women and girls within their club.  

Who Should Apply

Cricket is a sport for all Australians. We recognise our differences are our strengths and a diverse and inclusive cricket community is fundamental to our success. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women of colour, women who identify as LGBTIQ+, women with diverse religious beliefs and women with a disability to apply. Our culture is founded on our values: Aspire, Respect, Lead Together 

Women Participants 

We are looking for women who: 

• Are actively involved in community cricket (players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, etc.) 

• Are ready to step into leadership and drive meaningful change 

• Want to strengthen opportunities and experiences for women and girls at their club 

• Are willing to influence, lead conversations, and deliver change 

This program is for women who want to create meaningful impact for women and girls in their club, while strengthening their individual leadership capability. 

Clubs 

Clubs are central to the success of Project Inspire 2.0 and must support each application. 

We are seeking clubs that: 

• Already provide a positive and welcoming environment for women and girls 

• Have a clear foundation and are ready to build on it 

• Are committed to backing a participant to implement the Playbook 

• Will nominate a club sponsor to actively support implementation of the Playbook 

This program is for clubs ready to take the next step, strengthen their environment, and contribute to the future of women and girls in community cricket. 

What’s Involved

Benefits 

For participants 

• Build your confidence and a clear leadership identity 

• Strengthen your ability to influence, lead change, and navigate challenges 

• Deliver real change within your club through the implementation of the Playbook 

• Join a connected national network of women leaders 

For clubs 

• Strengthen the number of women in leadership roles 

• Improve the experience and retention of women and girls 

• Contribute to accelerating the opportunities for women and girls across community cricket in Australia 

Participant Commitment  

Participants will take part in a structured program and will be required to attend and actively participate in the following: 

 Club Commitment 

• Nominate a club sponsor to actively support the implementation of the Playbook working with their State or Territory Lead. 

The Outcome

Project Inspire 2.0 aims to: 

• Grow confident, capable women leaders across community cricket 

• Strengthen and expand the national Project Inspire network 

• Increase the role and visibility of women at all levels of the game 

• Accelerate progress and raise the bar for women and girls in community cricket 

Apply Now:

Club support is essential to Project Inspire 2.0. As part of the application process, your club sponsor must complete and submit the Club Endorsement Form confirming your club's commitment to supporting your participation in Project Inspire. 

Meet the Facilitators

Belinda Clark AO, B.App Sc (Physiotherapy), GAICD 

Chris Rubick, Master of Organisational Psychology 

Learn more about the Facilitators