gender equality

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 to play in the UK this July 2019

– Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Founder

The FairBreak XI will arrive in the UK in a couple of weeks to play four exhibition games supporting our Gender Equality program and our CSR partner, SolarBuddy.

What has been amazing and so pleasing is the reaction to our team announcement from supporters around the world.

Our team brings together 14 players from 10 countries:

Alex Blackwell, Australia
Sana Mir, Pakistan
Mariko Hill, Hong Kong
Kathryn Bryce, Scotland
Akanksha Kohli, India
Stephanie Fronhmayer, Germany
Ryana Macdonald-Gay, England
Sterre Kalis, Netherlands
Laura Mophakedi, Botswana
Shameelah Mosweu, Botswana
Ruchitha Venkatesh, Hong Kong
Chelsey Rowson, England
Grace Scrivens, England
Celeste Raack, Ireland

All these players are exceptional and, apart from Alex Blackwell and Sana Mir, these athletes are not household names, but they should be. For example, Sterre Kalis from the Netherlands has lifted her profile after equaling the world record for a T2O innings in women’s cricket scoring 126 (not out) from 76 balls. Incredible.

All of the players from associate nations desperately need more available cricket games and tournaments, and more financial resources.

What we strive for at FairBreak is greater recognition for these players. The 14 women taking part in this year’s UK program not only get to share their cricketing expertise, but also their life experience with one another and supporters. Cricket is a wonderfully inclusive game.

It would be ideal if next year’s World T20 women’s tournament had more than 10 countries participating. There are 16 men’s teams playing, but sadly only 10 women’s team. It would be helpful to understand the thinking behind this.

It can’t be financial. There is plenty of money in the coffers of cricket’s governing bodies. It’s not a gender equality issue because that has been disregarded completely.

So, we’d like to understand the reasoning.

Opportunity drives development, learning, inclusiveness and success.

What a fantastic tournament it would be if six additional nations were added to the women’s program.

What a superb opportunity to grow the game, demonstrate equality and celebrate the great programs running in all corners of the globe.

In very simple, humble terms, that is what we seek to do by continuing to bring players together from everywhere, and provide opportunity.

Join us in becoming a #FairBreaker. Connect with us on our social channels for news from the players and FairBreak team.

Elle Williams2019-07-08T08:25:46-04:00July 8th, 2019|News|

Golf finishes way ahead, on Even Par!

Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Founder

Who would have thought that a game so steeped in tradition, rules and regulations would move so positively and inclusively?

It was only a few years ago that women in golf clubs were associate members, not full members, and had the competition days they could play restricted.

Now they play in all competitions at all times as full members of golf clubs. The game and golf clubs are all the better for it.

Then along comes Golf Australia Victoria (@GolfAustVIC) and the ISPS Handa Vic Open and demonstrates not only parity of esteem, but also parity of PAY; Men and Women sharing the prize money equally.

This was an outstanding event on every level. Spectators were treated to some of the best players competing on an equal stage. No one player more important than another.

The players loved it, because if you are a true golfer, you know it’s about the game, the course, the personal challenge and the skill. Gender plays no role.

The symbolism of no ropes on the course restricting the movement of players and spectators was not lost on anyone either.

If only other sports could take a lesson from this.

Elle Williams2019-02-13T00:14:19-05:00February 13th, 2019|News|

Women’s World T20, 2020. A numbers game.

Shaun Martyn, Founder of FairBreak Global

I have taken great interest in the announcement surrounding the Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cups to be held in Australia in 2020.

What a great opportunity for the game.

When you look at early advertising and the make up of the competitions it raises a few questions.

Although it might be commendable to try and set a crowd record for a women’s sporting event, is that where effort and attention is best spent?

It was obvious at the end of the World Cup in 2018 that the gap between the top 2 or 3 nations and the rest of the world has increased, not decreased.

It may be a bold prediction but I would expect the women’s final at the MCG on March 8, 2020 will be contested between Australia and England. They are so far ahead of the rest of the pack it’s daylight third. If this is the case for the foreseeable future, what plans are in place to close the gap?

The men’s competition will be fought out between 16 teams. The women’s competition has only 10 teams. Why?

Can we please have parity??

If the women’s game is constantly presented as less valuable by the ICC and Cricket Boards then we will never achieve parity.

We saw this only last month in Australia when the WBBL final was played at 10.00am on a Saturday morning at a suburban Sydney ground.

CA erred massively here, again presenting women’s cricket as a less valuable, inferior product.

If you consistently signal that your product lacks value, how can you hope to break records?

There needs to be a massive reset.

We know that women’s cricket attracts a huge audience globally. 126 million viewers (ICC figures) watched England play India at Lords in 2017. That’s an enormous amount of advertising revenue.

Cost, therefore, can’t be a factor in only having 10 womens teams in the T20 World Cup.

How much money does each team receive for qualifying for the world cup?

Is it equal for both the men’s and women’s teams?

Hypothetically, if teams from Botswana, Thailand, USA, China, PNG, UAE, Holland, Vanuatu etc. qualified to make up 16 women’s teams, then that would be one step towards parity.

An injection of $500K US into the women’s programs in each of the 16 qualifying nations would move the women’s game forward in a very positive manner. The money is there.

Is there the will to drive towards parity and serious development of the women’s game, or is still a case of paying ‘lip service’?

Elle Williams2019-02-04T02:17:38-05:00February 4th, 2019|News|

Gender pay equity and professional sport – what’s the go?!

I’ve got a lot of questions that need answering and I hope someone can help me. Some of these questions have been on my my mind long before I started FairBreak. Longer still before #genderequity #genderequality and #genderpaygap existed as hashtags. But for now, let’s start with a couple.

How do the governing bodies in major sports justify less than equal pay?

When I see the passion, skill and rightly-deserved success of the Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas,

I’m perplexed. More paying fans turn up to watch them play against Brazil than an AFL semi-final, or to see the Wallabies play in Australia. And yet, for years one of the central arguments concerning gender pay equity in professional sport has been that a women’s game wouldn’t generate a paying audience.

That doesn’t seem to be the case now.

How do the governing bodies in major sports justify less than equal pay? the Matilda’s should surely be paid the same as the Wallabies shouldn’t they? They draw a bigger crowd.

To further reinforce the value of the Matildas, the FFA has just announced that they are moving the FFA Cup final date from November 22 because the Matildas game against China takes precedence.

So is there something that I’m missing here? I hope someone can help me to better understand.

There is a lot to cogitate on.

If 126 million viewers watched the ICC Women’s World Cup cricket final overall, which includes I.I million alone in the UK, what was the advertising revenue generated? Where did that go?

I’m curious about how advertising revenue generated from women’s sport and fan engagement is distributed.

Plenty more questions, but so few answers… more to come next week.

– Shaun Martyn, FairBreak and WICL Founder.

Elle Williams2022-03-02T18:49:33-05:00September 26th, 2017|News|

A robust discussion about gender equity at our inaugural Gala Dinner

A huge thank you to all those who contributed to a successful and most enjoyable evening at our first FairBreak and SolarBuddy Gala Dinner at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney on June 7.

The Pymble Ladies’ College Jazz band and vocalists set the scene perfectly to start the night, followed by sensational vocalists through the night.

Our esteemed panel of Jim Maxwell, Senator Bridget McKenzie, Mary ‘Kaye’, Vicki Waters and Eugenie Buckley was brilliantly facilitated by Sharn Bedi in addressing a number of gender based issues across sport, business, education and government. You can read some of the highlights in the tweets below.

A big thank you to those students who worked on the event – Carlissa Eves and Lauren Faahan-Smaith – and also our co-MC Amy Graham, all from Pymble Ladies’ College. Working with these students is another element of our charter to create opportunity with our educational partners.

The next phase of our development is now well underway with the relationship we have formed with Twitter and the corporate and institutional support that is evident

– Shaun

Connect with us on Twitter @FairBreakGlobal and follow the conversation #FairBreak

Elle Williams2018-02-26T17:56:58-05:00June 23rd, 2017|News|