Clare Connor, a pivotal figure in the transformation of women’s cricket in England, is set to step down from her roles as ECB Deputy Chief Executive and Managing Director of England Women following the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup later this year. Her departure marks the end of an era for a woman who has dedicated over two decades to elevating the sport.
Connor’s journey with cricket began as an amateur player, balancing her passion for the game with a career as a school teacher. During her playing days, she amassed an impressive 111 international appearances across all formats for England, even captaining the national side. Upon retiring from playing at the age of 29 in 2006, after leading England to their first Ashes victory in 42 years in 2005, she transitioned seamlessly into the administrative side of cricket.
A Decade of Dedication and Transformation
Connor’s commitment to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spans more than 18 years, a period characterised by her unwavering drive to professionalise women’s cricket. She was instrumental in establishing central contracts for the England Women’s team, a groundbreaking move that provided a clear pathway for elite female athletes. This initiative paved the way for the subsequent introduction of professional contracts for domestic female players, fundamentally altering the landscape of the sport for women in England.
Her significant contributions to the advancement of women’s sports have been widely recognised, earning her prestigious honours including an MBE, OBE, and CBE. Beyond her administrative achievements at the ECB, Connor has also made her mark on the international stage. She holds the distinction of being the first female member of the ICC Cricket Committee and later chaired the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee, further cementing her influence in global cricket governance. In a notable milestone, she served as the first female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) during the 2021-22 period. Her extensive experience culminated in her role as the ECB’s Interim Chief Executive from 2022-23, a position she held for nearly a year.
A Personal Reflection on a Rewarding Career
Reflecting on her imminent departure, Connor expressed the profound impact her career in cricket administration has had on her. “Having fallen in love with the game in a quite different era from the one we are in now, my goals as an administrator have been firmly rooted in making cricket more equal for women and girls,” she stated. “To have played a part in removing some of the barriers that were preventing those things from being possible and to know that cricket is now a more inclusive and more gender-balanced sport, is deeply rewarding.”
She acknowledged that the work of progress is ongoing but conveyed immense pride in her contributions. “Of course, a job like this is never ‘done’ but I am proud to have done my bit. This has been the job of a lifetime, so deciding to leave has been an extremely hard decision.”
Legacy and Future Aspirations
Connor’s influence extended beyond strategic planning and policy-making. She was the first ECB employee dedicated solely to women’s cricket development, beginning her tenure in 2008. In more recent times, she has steered the ECB’s response to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, a crucial document that highlighted systemic racial, class-based, and gender-based discrimination within the sport.
Following last year’s unsuccessful Ashes series against Australia, Connor commissioned a thorough structural assessment of the England Women’s team. This process was instrumental in the subsequent appointments of Charlotte Edwards as Head Coach and Nat Sciver-Brunt as captain, signalling a new direction for the team.
The upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England from June 12 to July 5, presents an immediate focus for the team. They will be aiming to secure their first global trophy since the 2017 ODI World Cup and clinch their maiden T20 World Cup title since 2009, a year in which they also hosted the tournament. Connor’s departure, while marking the end of a significant chapter, leaves a strong foundation for the continued growth and success of women’s cricket in England and beyond.
