Concentrate on the cricket, not the crowd size

– Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Founder

It’s only 24 days until the start of the cricket Women’s World T20 tournament, and 25 days until a FairBreak Global XI plays a Bradman Foundation XI in Bowral.

I wish all teams participating in the World T20 the very best of luck.

I hope everyone focuses on the cricket that will be played – on the game people are watching – not on the size of the crowd for the final.

We should be concentrating on world class performances from players, not breaking crowd records. If the latter happens, it’s a bonus.

The ‘sleeper’ for me in this tournament is South Africa. They have player depth and the experience many of their players have now had in the WBBL and the now defunct KIA Super League. It’s given them the belief they are as good as anyone. They no longer rely on a couple of players and their recent demolition of NZ should make everyone else a little nervous.

I also hope that a serious discussion is had around the number of teams in this tournament. You can’t talk about gender equality in your sport when 16 men’s teams will contest their tournament, but only 10 women’s teams will compete in theirs. That has to change for every tournament from here on. The game will never grow if that step is not immediately taken.

Our FairBreak XI will enjoy a great week of training, playing and development in Sydney and Bowral next month. Nine countries are represented in the team with four national captains. A number of players have been a part of previous FairBreak programs and we look forward to their continued development.

We also welcome some new #FairBreakers from the USA, Hong Kong, Vanuatu and England.

It will be an interesting and challenging experience for the FairBreak XI. Although they will work with Alex Blackwell again, Alex will captain the Bradman XI as a past Bradman Scholar in this historic match.

We are also hopeful Sana Mir will captain the FairBreak XI for this match, if she can make it to the event. Sana is a celebrated #FairBreaker and it would be fitting that two of the greatest players of all time could renew their rivalry in Bowral.

Roll on February 22 at Bradman Oval, Bowral.

Details about the two games to be played on February 22 here, or join the event on Facebook here.

Elle Williams2020-01-29T00:26:59-05:00January 29th, 2020|News|

FairBreak Global XI team for Australia February 17 -23 Announced

FairBreak Global will play in Australia in February culminating in a match against the first ever Bradman Women’s XI in at Bradman Oval in Bowral on Saturday February 22 commencing at 2.30pm

The FairBreak XI includes world-class players from nine countries. The games will continue to highlight the crucial issues of gender equality, such as equal pay and governance, and further the FairBreak mission of opportunity and equality for all.

Sana Mir Pakistan

Sterre Kalis Netherlands

Selina Solman Vanuatu

Diviya GK Singapore

Linsey Smith England

Sindhu Sriharsha USA

Geetika Kodali USA

Nasimana Navaika Vanuatu

Kary Chan Hong Kong

Mariko Hill Hong Kong

Celeste Raack Ireland

FairBreaker Alex Blackwell, a Bradman scholar, will captain the Bradman Women’s XI.

Gencor is the naming rights sponsor of the event, demonstrating its support for gender equality and preparedness to step forward and support FairBreak.

“FairBreak’s values tie in closely with our value systems, in encouraging and developing sporting and work opportunities for women worldwide and providing them with a platform to showcase their talents at the highest level. Partnering with FairBreak provides us with a synergistic opportunity to foster pure sporting and healthy living opportunities for women,” says R. V. Venkatesh, Gencor Managing Director.

FairBreak founder, Shaun Martyn explained the motivation behind this game ; “On the back of our recent tour of England we want to take this opportunity to continue to showcase the enormous talent that exists globally and continue our commitment to ensuring this talent is encouraged and rewarded.”

The day will also support FairBreak’s CSR partner SolarBuddy in helping to end energy poverty.

*UPDATE: We regret to inform you that Shameelah Mosweu from Botswana has had her visa denied and won’t be joining us. For more information, read our post here. It’s a huge disappointment for us and for Shameelah. She is an incredibly talented player and will be missed by us all this time.

https://fairbreak.net | Twitter/ Insta @FairBreakGlobal #fairbreaker

Elle Williams2020-02-17T00:16:36-05:00January 27th, 2020|News|

How women are helping cricket become the new world game

– Article by Geoff Lawson

Image source: SMH – Alex Blackwell

It’s a confusing time in the cricket world – in a good way.

Confusion caused by so much activity from the flannelled fools; a plethora of fixtures and formats that would make Roy and HG shudder. Just when is too much cricket not enough?

We have already had two Test series, completed a domestic 50-over competition, the Sheffield Shield is three-quarters done, half of the WNCL has been played, the WBBL is done and dusted, we’re just past the halfway point in the BBL, the Australian men’s team is on a trip (couldn’t really call it a tour) to India – and that’s all before Australia Day.

Reverse sweeping towards us is the women’s T20 tri-series against India and England, followed by the Women’s T20 World Cup – which will be opened, slogged, swatted and closed between February 15 and March 8. For the aficionados, you can even follow Australia A versus the English Lions men’s series.

Plenty to pontificate about or just sit back and watch as the various spectacles unfold on our screens or up close and personal in the stands. And that’s just the home fixtures. Australia are also contesting the Under-19 World Cup now in South Africa against the likes of Nigeria and Japan.

…

Fortunately, the Fairbreak organisation (an international advocate for gender equality) has taken up the cudgel to promote opportunity through the sport in a number of the forgotten cricket-playing countries.

As an adjunct to the World Cup, a Fairbreak team will play the first match against a Bradman Foundation team at Bradman Oval on February 22. The Fairbreak team will be comprised of players from 10 different countries and include arguably Australia’s finest player Alex Blackwell, and representatives from Vanuatu, the Netherlands, Botswana, Singapore, the US, England, Hong Kong and Ireland. The match will be live-streamed (http://fairbreak.ion-sport.com) and there will be an early match against a first SCG XI women’s team. The main game starts at 2.30pm and the pipe opener is at 10.30am.

Full article here on SMH.

Elle Williams2020-01-26T23:26:41-05:00January 26th, 2020|News|

Two members of Team USA’s Women’s National Team to play for FairBreak XI in February 2020

Two members of Team USA’s Women’s National Team will travel to Australia to play a series of matches for an international representative side next month. Following a recommendation from USA Women’s Head Coach, Julia Price, the USA Women’s Selection Committee has endorsed the selection of Sindhu Sriharsha and Geetika Kodali to play for FairBreak Global XI who will play a series of matches from February 17 – 22 in Australia.

The two invited players from the United States will train and play alongside players from at least 8 other countries including Vanuatu, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Botswana and Australia. They will come together to make up the FairBreak Global XI and among other matches, will play the first ever Bradman Women’s XI in a T20 match on February 22nd at the Bradman Oval in Bowral, New South Wales.

This match will be a significant one for both FairBreak and the Bradman Foundation, with it being the first time in history that a Bradman Women’s XI has been selected. Australia’s most capped women’s cricketer and Bradman Scholar, Alex Blackwell will captain the Bradman XI in a match that will be live-streamed around the world.

Read the full article here in USA Cricket.

Elle Williams2020-01-24T00:51:23-05:00January 24th, 2020|News|

2020 program to begin in Australia

We are pleased to announce that our program for 2020 will begin in Australia in February.

A FairBreak XI will play a series of games in Sydney and Bowral in the week of February 17.

The week will culminate in a doubleheader at Bradman Oval in Bowral on Saturday February 22.
Our FairBreak XI will play the first ever SCG Women’s XI in a T20 fixture commencing at 10.30am.

We have included 3 players from Bowral in our team for this game to create opportunity for local players.
At 2.30pm we play the first ever Bradman Women’s XI. As a past Bradman scholar
#fairbreaker Alex Blackwell Will Captain the Bradman XI.
This game will be ‘live streamed’ globally and please click on the link provided to view this game.
The FairBreak XI includes 4 national captains and players invited from 9 countries.

LIVE STREAM HERE

Elle Williams2020-01-17T11:15:54-05:00January 17th, 2020|Events|

Our hearts break as bushfires ravage Australia

Image: Taken by Shaun from his property in Narooma NSW

FairBreak founder, Shaun Martyn, lives in Narooma NSW, a bushfire ravaged area where many residents have had to leave their properties, while some have stayed to defend their community. With no power or phone lines, Shaun powered up his solar-powered SolarBuddy lights and has called on the FairBreak CSR partner for help as the fires continue to rage. Simon Doble, founder of SolarBuddy, has responded by donating $13,000 worth of SolarBuddy lights to be distributed through the evacuation centre in Narooma.

Lights will go to those in need who have been evacuated from their local towns including Cobargo, Bermagui, Bodalla and Tilba, and to volunteers from the Volunteer Rescue Association. We know it’s a small gesture in the enormity of this horrendous time but we believe in doing what we can during our nation’s time of great need.

Please help local communities survive these devastating fires where you can, or give what you can – below are links to some of the organisations where you can donate.

NSW Rural Fire Service: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade

VIC Country Fire Association: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa

WIRES – Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1386120504919105/10158318179549750/

Australian Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate

Thank you.

Elle Williams2022-03-02T18:52:05-05:00January 8th, 2020|News|

FairBreak Global XI v Bradman Women’s XI at Bradman Oval, Bowral February 22, 2020

FairBreak Global will play the first ever Bradman Women’s XI in a T20 women’s cricket match, with world-class players from nine countries. The game will continue to highlight the crucial issues of gender equality, such as equal pay and governance, and further the FairBreak mission of opportunity and equality for all.

This match is a significant one for both FairBreak and the Bradman Foundation.

The FairBreak team will include players from at least 8 countries including Vanuatu, USA, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Botswana and Australia.

Australia’s most capped player and Bradman Scholar Alex Blackwell will captain the Bradman XI.

FairBreak cricket operations are overseen by former Australian cricketer and former coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Geoff Lawson, OAM.

“The Bradman Foundation is a huge supporter of Women’s Cricket and this is an exciting step for us in selecting the first ever Bradman Women’s XI” says Rina Hore, Executive Director of the Bradman Museum and Foundation. “Having a Bradman Scholar and Australia’s most capped female player Alex Blackwell captaining our XI demonstrates just how seriously we view this game as another opportunity to showcase the quality and diversity of women’s cricket”.

Gencor is the naming rights sponsor of the event, demonstrating its support for gender equality and preparedness to step forward and support FairBreak.

Mariko Hill – Product Development Executive, Captain of the National Women’s Hong Kong Cricket Team, and FairBreak representative – says, “Ever since the start of my career in the nutraceutical industry with Gencor, they have been a true advocate of my role as a professional cricket player. They support any upcoming tournaments without any hesitation, whether that is representing my country or FairBreak. This means I have a balance between work, sport and social affairs. Not many companies would do this and I am extremely grateful to work alongside both Gencor and FairBreak, who are the pioneers for this movement for gender equality and empowerment”.

“FairBreak’s values tie in closely with our value systems, in encouraging and developing sporting and work opportunities for women worldwide and providing them with a platform to showcase their talents at the highest level. Partnering with FairBreak provides us with a synergistic opportunity to foster pure sporting and healthy living opportunities for women,” says R. V. Venkatesh, Gencor Managing Director.

Gencor is a well-known provider of clinically researched branded ingredients, designed to improve quality of life through good health at all stages of life, as well as improve athletic performance. Invested in cutting-edge science and technology, Gencor works closely with the best scientists in leading Universities and Institutes Worldwide to make this ancient wisdom available to a modern global market. The business also supports women’s empowerment and gender equality by providing equal opportunity for women around the world in all areas of development: work, education and sport.

FairBreak founder, Shaun Martyn explained the motivation behind this game; “On the back of our recent tour of England we want to take this opportunity to continue to showcase the enormous talent that exists globally and continue our commitment to ensuring this talent is encouraged and rewarded.”

The day will also support FairBreak’s CSR partner SolarBuddy in helping end energy poverty.

*

Further information or interview requests:

Shaun Martyn: shaun.martyn@test.fairbreak.net 0412332638 Rina Hore: rina@bradman.com.au 02 48621247

###

About FairBreak Global: Around the globe, there are women who are talented, passionate and driven in their professional field, but they do not have the opportunity to give their best in a way that is acknowledged or encouraged by their community. FairBreak is an organisation that aims to create opportunities in sport, business, media, arts and education to achieve gender equality on a truly global scale.

Twitter/ Insta @FairBreakGlobal #fairbreaker

About The Bradman Foundation: A not for profit charitable trust supported by Sir Donald Bradman to honour and strengthen the game.

The Bradman Foundation has three primary objectives:

1. To operate a public museum as a cultural institution and monument for the game. By collecting, preserving and cataloguing the Museum acts as an enduring repository for the game and endeavours to educate and stimulate the curiosity of future generations.

2. To educate and promote community spirit and respect both on and off the field. The Foundation’s Charter is to provide all children, regardless of ability or experience with the opportunity to learn about the game and its impact on social issues around the world. Provide scholarships to young Australians with a connection to cricket, to acquire a university and /or a cricket administration education.

Elle Williams2022-04-29T15:30:41-04:00December 8th, 2019|Events, News|

FairBreak players presented with a numbered cap

We are so pleased to have been able to present all players who have been invited to participate in a FairBreak program with a special numbered cap. This cap signifies the order of invitation of the player. As our program develops, each player invited will be presented with their numbered cap prior to taking the field for FairBreak.

Alex Blackwell, Australia
Suzie Bates, New Zealand
Shamilia Connell, West Indies
Mariko Hill, Hong Kong
Diviya GK, Singapore
Selina Solman, Vanuatu
Nadia Gruny, USA
Akanksha Kohli, India
Lakshmi Yadav, India
Vasali Jesrani, Oman
Divya Saxena, Canada
Sana Mir, Pakistan
Sterre Kalis, Netherlands
Laura Mophakedi, Botswana
Shameelah Mosweu, Botswana
Kathryn Bryce, Scotland
Ruchita Venkatesh, Hong Kong
Stephanie Fronhmayer, Germany
Celeste Raack, Ireland
Chelsey Rowson, England
Grace Scrivens, England
Ryana Macdonald-Gay, England

Thank you to all the incredible women who have accepted our invitation. FairBreak, as a movement, is a collaboration with everyone involved and we are so grateful to all who have given their time, skills, expertise, encouragement and support.

Elle Williams2019-09-15T01:36:46-04:00September 15th, 2019|News|

FairBreak UK 2019 tour wrap-up

Our four game UK tour was a wonderful week of cricket for 14 players from 10 countries, including six past or present national captains participate during the week.

Coach – Khyati Gulani from Delhi, manager – Saba Nasim from the UK, and senior players Sana Mir (Pakistan) and Alex Blackwell (Australia) challenged the team to play with consistency across all four games. All payers responded to this challenge and it was incredible to see how quickly the team ethos developed with players working hard for one another as individuals and as a team. Everyone contributed to the success of the tour.

There were excellent ‘player of the match’ performances on field from Sterre Kalis (Netherlands), Shameelah Mosweu ( Botswana), Akanksha Kohli (India) and Ryana Macdonald-Gay (England). Mariko Hill (Hong Kong) continued to develop her captaincy skills in the 40 over game against a Kent Invitational XI.

Watch the recorded live-stream of the Wormsley game here, thanks to Ion Sport.

A highlight for everyone was the opportunity to again play at Wormlsey. An invitation to attend the Garsington Opera after the cricket capped off a great day and wonderful experience for the team. 2018 FairBreak XI captain, Suzie Bates (New Zealand) also made an appearance at Wormsley to do ‘throw downs’, talk with players and run the drinks. This all-class involvement from Suzie is the epitome of the true nature of who a #FairBreaker is, supporting all players from all backgrounds in any way possible.

Other poignant #FairBreaker examples of particular note were the efforts made by Stephanie Frohnmayer (Germany) and Celeste Raack (Ireland). Stephanie is a gynecologist who returned to Germany on our weekend off to deliver four babies before flying back to London to play the MCC in back to back T20 matches. Celeste made a ‘lightning’ trip back to Dublin to her physiotherapy practice before returning to deliver more leg breaks, flippers and googlies.

The looping spin and bounce from Ruchitha Venkatesh (Hong Kong) proved a handful for all opposition during the week, and Laura Mophakedi (Botswana) was reliable behind the stumps. Having to keep to Sana Mir was both a great thrill and significant learning experience for Laura.

Although Kathryn Bryce could only make one appearance during the week it was fantastic to have her with us and we look forward to Kathryn making many more appearances with us.

A big thank you to Lydia Greenway and her ‘Cricket 4 Girls’ program for introducing English players Chelsey Rowson, Grace Scrivens and Ryana Macdonald-Gay to FairBreak. All outstanding young players who made significant contributions to the team and results. All will be invited back as #FairBreakers and we will be following their progress closely.

Finally, a special thank you to Sana Mir and Alex Blackwell. Both women are icons of the game. They enjoy global recognition for their achievements both on and off the field for the great example they set. To have them give so freely of their time, advice, encouragement and knowledge to all players is invaluable.

Thank you to everyone for a fabulous week of cricket, dinners, lunches, opera, laughs and friendship.

FairBreak would especially like to acknowledge the wonderful contribution made by Gencor and R.V. Venkatesh.

Thank you to our associated sponsors and supporters: Kookaburra, ANP Solar, Globetrotter Travel, VOOST, Rudy Project, Happy Faces, and our CSR partner SolarBuddy.

FairBreak is about equality and opportunity, the concept of a ‘fair go ‘ for all and the purity of sport. #FairBreaker @FairBreakGlobal

Connect with us on Twitter and see the live updates, photos and videos from the games in our Twitter feed!

Elle Williams2019-08-19T08:33:33-04:00August 19th, 2019|News|

FairBreak XI July 2019 UK Games

We’re so excited to bring together players from around the world for three games in the UK this month. We hope you can join us at the events, tune in to the live stream from the Hampstead game, or follow our social media updates #FairBreaker.

All games are free to attend and you can meet the FairBreak XI after each game.

July 23 v KENT Invitational X1 at Hayes Cricket Club, Bromley KENT

Hayes (Kent) Cricket Club, Barnet Wood Road, Hayes, Bromley
10:30am start
40 over per side

July 25 v Sir Paul Getty XI at Wormsley

Wormsley, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire
2.30pm start
T20 match

July 29 v MCC at UCS Hampstead and Live Streamed

University College School, Hampstead Heath
11.00am start
Two T20 matches

FairBreak XI

Coach: Khyati Gulani, India

Coach/Manager: Saba Nasim, England

Alex Blackwell, Australia

Stephanie Frohnmayer, Germany

Sana Mir, Pakistan

Sterre Kalis, Netherlands

Mariko Hill, Hong Kong

Laura Mophakedi, Botswana

Kathryn Bryce, Scotland

Shameelah Mosweu, Botswana

Laura Delaney, Ireland

Ruchitha Venkatesh, Hong Kong

Akanksha Kohli, India

Chelsey Rowson, England

Grace Scrivens, England

Ryanna Macdonald-Gay, England

Elle Williams2019-07-21T11:44:29-04:00July 21st, 2019|News|

About Elle Williams

We are pleased to announce that our program for 2020 will begin in Australia in February.