Dr. Catherine Ordway, an attorney and associate professor of sport at the University of Canberra, is shaking things up. She’s now at the forefront of the Afghan women’s cricket team’s resettlement and international acknowledgement. Together with former Australian cricketer Mel Jones and team manager Emma Staples, she drafted a plan to evacuate the team from Afghanistan. Together, they were the unsung heroes that kept us all safe. Just last week, the international cricket community made headlines with their Athlete program. In that challenge, Dr. Ordway views an opportunity for meaningful reform.
“When I first heard the news, I was overwhelmed with emotions,” she stated, reflecting on the impact this decision could have on the players and their future in cricket.
For the past three years, she’s fought tirelessly to get Afghan women cricketers the recognition they deserve. Her hope is that cricket has helped brought some stability over the past tumultuous months in Afghanistan. Dr. Ordway hopes that this initiative will be a powerful message to Afghan women living at the margins of society. It demonstrates to them that they are worthy of encouragement and celebration.
The Role of ICC in Women’s Cricket
The ICC’s recent initiative includes plans for funding that Dr. Ordway hopes will match the financial support currently provided to the Afghan men’s cricket team. She makes the case that this equal funding is key to advancing gender equity in the sport. “If the ICC was able to match the money they’re currently giving to the Afghan cricket board, that would be terrific,” she asserted.
Dr. Ordway also commended the ICC for separating the funding for the women’s team from that of the men’s team. “The fact that they’ve decided to create a separate pot of money for displaced Afghan women is terrific because that means there’s not going to be any criticism on them that they’ve taken something away from the Afghan cricket men,” she explained. This decision not only saves taxpayer dollars but brings important attention to the unequal challenges that female athletes have to overcome.
Tooba Khan Sarwari, a member of the Afghan women’s cricket team, echoed Dr. Ordway’s sentiments about the significance of this support. “It was such a meaningful decision for us,” she remarked, expressing her hope that this would mark “the start of something really exciting” for Afghan women cricketers.
Overcoming Challenges
Yet the path to move the Afghan women’s cricket team was not without challenges. Sarwari noted, “It was an enormous task that took us via road because the airport was closed. It took us nine or 10 months with a team of people.” This grueling process spoke to the commitment and determination of everyone who was involved in protecting the team’s safety and future.
Dr Ordway currently works with boards of crickets for Australia, England and India. Together, we‘re working to serve as a crucial resource for athletes to help them navigate their new normal. She views this joint-commitment initiative as one of those rare golden opportunities for the ICC. It grants them the opportunity to publicly express their support for Afghanistan’s national women’s team, and for an inclusive environment where women can thrive in sports.
The athletes’ profound emotional displacement and struggle has been palpable throughout the season. As Sarwari says, it is their love for cricket that drives their dreams and keeps their dreams alive. “It gave me a sense of purpose. It allowed me to keep my identity and my dreams alive,” she shared, underscoring how deeply intertwined cricket is with their sense of self and community.
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Ordway continues her advocacy for the Afghan women’s cricket team, she remains hopeful about the ICC’s initiative providing meaningful support. If passed, the financial backing would be transformative. It would send a powerful message to these athletes that they can still pursue their sport and inspire future generations of female cricketers in Afghanistan.
The details like this are hugely important. Join us as we delve behind the announcement to find out what it really means. For Dr. Ordway, that’s both thrilling and a little scary as they wait to see what this funding really looks like.
The ICC’s commitment represents a broader acknowledgment of women’s sports globally and highlights the importance of supporting female athletes in regions where they have faced severe challenges. With advocates like Dr. Ordway leading the charge, there’s hope for these women. They will receive unparalleled exposure and opportunities to share their art on a world-class stage.
