Young Leaders

Hampshire Champions

The Hampshire Champions Programme, previously known as Vipers Champions, is a progressive programme for boys and girls aged 13-16 and aims to develop young leaders and increase confidence through gaining important life skills. In 2023, the Vipers Champions (girls only) programme grew significantly and in total 150 girls enrolled over the 4 stages of the programme.

The programme aims to provide numerous opportunities for the children to learn from our experienced team of community coaches and go back and support with volunteering back at their club.

All participants will be trained, given the opportunity to volunteer at events at Utilita Bowl and be recognised for their efforts at our reward and recognition event.

Girl's Advisory Board

Hampshire Cricket Board's Girl's Advisory Board aims to use the experiences and thoughts of young women aged 12-22, who are involved in various stages of the game in Hampshire, to advise on all aspects of our work.

The purpose is to support and advise on delivery of recreational cricket in Hampshire, to include playing, officiating, coaching and volunteering.

England VI Women

The Girl's Champions have built a special relationship with the England VI Women and have played them in an annual fixture for the last 8 years.

Coaching, Scoring & Umpring

Interested in coaching, scoring, or umpiring?

There are many ways to get involved whether supporting junior teams or making your international umpiring debut like our very own Scarlett Hale.

Hampshire has been running female only coaching courses for a number of years and there are now over 100 female coaches in the county.

Case Study - Scarlett Hale

Scarlett Hale started umpiring at 12 years old as part of HCB's girls young leaders programme, Vipers Champions

Since them supported by both HCB and GACO, Scarlett has gone from strength to strength and despite a heavy playing schedule and studying for exams, Scarlett has put in many hours gaining experience in all formats of the game. This culminated in her becoming the youngest ever international umpire in 2023, aged only 18, at the Kwibuka Tournament in Rwanda.

In 2024, Scarlett completed a gruelling ECB selection process and was selected as one of the only 6 women to be on the ECB Women's National Panel.