Removing barriers to girls' cricket participation

Powerco is recognising the importance of creating a more inclusive environment for young women in sport, by partnering with the Taranaki Cricket Association to support girls’ representative teams.

The energy company, which is a finalist for the Deloitte Barfoot and Thompson Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award, is providing the Year 7/8 development team, and Year 9/10 and Year 11/13 representative Taranaki girls’ cricket teams, with black playing pants.

"This is about more than uniforms, it’s about removing obstacles that prevent participation in sport,” Powerco Head of People and Culture, Leile Sims, says.

“Offering black playing pants instead of the traditional white gives these players added confidence, helping to alleviate period anxiety, so they can focus on the game without worry.”

The Taranaki Cricket Association (TCA) welcomes Powerco's involvement, recognising the positive impact it has on the players’ confidence and well-being, especially as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. 

"We’re excited to see our teams take the field with pride and confidence in their new kits with black pants, and we’re grateful to Powerco for their support to help make it happen," Taranaki Cricket Association General Manager Ryan Evans says.

Powerco and TCA's partnership joins a broader movement in sports, with teams such as the Football Ferns and England's Lionesses rugby team transitioning to darker playing pants.

Powerco is committed to inclusivity in the workplace, Leile Sims says.

“Just as we provide period products in our workplaces or root our leadership programmes in te ao Māori concepts, or have an active rainbow community, we want to be at the forefront of making sure our industry is attractive to people from all backgrounds."

 

From left, TCA Year 11/13 girls' representative team members Charlotte Butler, Cara Hollard and Anika Scott, wearing their new kit with black pants.