Cricket Without Borders – Details, episodes & analysis

Tawanda Karasa, Founder and Secretary of Grassroots Cricket whose mission is to partner with organisations and individuals to build a world where all children are equal and have access to fulfill their potential. 

Tawanda is passionate corporate social responsibility and youth development and social justice and has introduced a number of successful programs in his home country of Zimbabwe combining sporting skills and life skills to disadvantaged children. 

While this episode is not specifically about women’s cricket it is a “must listen”to hear how cricket is helping thousands of young people in need. 

Lauren is a freelance journalist in South Africa possessing a powerful storytelling ability, along with the intentionally honed skill of creating ease and calm while interviewing individuals and whose words and comments are vital to a carefully curated and researched story. 

Lauren is a specialist in the area of women’s news, analysis, sport, profiling and interviewing. She is passionate about women’s empowerment in the sporting world and hosts her own sports journalism show called “ She Speaks Sport”. 

This is a fascinating discussion     

David is the Librarian at the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Library at the MCG but had a close connection with former Victorian and Australian “great” in Betty Wilson regarded in her time as the “female Bradman”.

Among her many accolades Betty Wilson is a member of the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame, the Australian and ICC Cricket Halls of Fame and an Honorary Member of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

In a fascinating discussion David talks about his family connection to Betty Wilson and takes us inside the life of  Betty Wilson.

Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

Alan is the Head of Cricket Operations at the Japan Cricket Association a position he has held since 2015. Alan has been instrumental in managing the growth of the sport at the grass roots level and now oversees all cricket throughout the country and the operations and logistics that go with having three National Squads.

In 2012 Alan also wrote a book titled "Cricket on Everest" after helping to arrange a game of cricket on the slopes of Mount Everest!.

Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

A fascinating discussion with Benafsha Hashimi who is a young Afghani woman who fled her home country of Afghanistan along with other members of the Afghani women's cricket team in 2021 when the Taliban took control of the country.

Benafsha has now settled in Canberra with other members of her family who also fled Afghanistan with her and is now pursuing her new life with much enthusiasm which also includes playing cricket.

Benafsha was also a highly valued member of our CWOB team that toured Fiji in September 2022.
 
Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

Sophie McIIwain is an accredited player agent and is believed to be the first female accredited player agent in Australian cricket.

Sophie works ethically to support her clients in achieving their personal goals and strongly feels that an agent's job is to assist in every way possible. Sophie works with players, coaches and media personalities around the world.

Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

Mel is a former Victorian and Australian player who helped Clare Cannon establish Cricket Without Borders in 2010 and is now  a prominent  cricket commentator.  

Catherine is an international expert in the field of integrity in sport and is a strong advocate of women’s sport. She is also a sought-after media commentator and conference presenter and has served on numerous ethics and anti-doping committees in Australia and internationally.

Catherine played an instrumental role in securing humanitarian visas for members of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team and their families to settle in Australia in 2021 after the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

A fanatical lover of cricket as both a player and journalist Jenny is embarking on a tour this year to more than 50 countries where she will join local teams, playing, coaching and mentoring female cricketers and then write a book about her experience. Along the way she is fundraising for the LBW Trust who believe that everybody deserves an education and an opportunity to realise their potential and create their own future. 

Links:
Cricket Without Borders website

Sarah Elliot is a former Victorian and Australian player who also played WBBL cricket with the Adelaide Strikers. Sarah has played an integral role in the development of Cricket Without Borders and has provided outstanding support for all of the players who have undertaken tours with CWOB including some who have gone on to higher honours be it in Premier, State or National cricket.

Sarah is a true inspiration to all young women playing cricket.