About Us

Founded in 2023, Mersey Rose Recreationals CC is a club whose entire purpose is to provide inclusive cricket.

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In the aftermath of the ICEC's report - Holding up a Mirror to Cricket -  there have been many conversations about how to make our game more authentically inclusive. Mersey Rose Recreationals is a club that seeks to lead by example: we're not going to sit on the sidelines while others debate how to become a bit more equitable and inclusive. We're determined to show how it can be put into action and build something based on equity, diversity and inclusion from the outset. 

 

During the 2023 season several players from Rainhill Cricket Club, disillusioned with the emphasis on competitiveness and achievement (not only at their club, but in wider league cricket), decided to create something new. Inspired by the example of Birmingham Unicorns, they wanted to do something similar for the local LGBTQ+ community. But they were also enthusiastic about becoming a movement for inclusion in other areas, such as disability, age, ethnicity, social background and neurodiversity. It was clear to us that the "traditional" models for sports clubs are excluding a lot of people. 

 

As a club we believe the most important thing is building a community. In a  community, playing ability matters less than a sense of belonging and the opportunity to come as you are and enjoy yourself. We want to make sure everyone who wants to play does play, that no-one feels under pressure and that everyone feels welcomed and supported. Many of our members have been to other clubs where the first thing we're asked about is our bowling style or batting ability - they're more interested in what you can do for their club than what they can do for you. Too much focus on ability can be intimidating and offputting for players new to the game, and it's not going to happen here. 

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We adopt an inclusive approach to cricket and everyone is genuinely welcome. We are proud of the diversity of our membership and the range of cricketing experiences we are able to provide.

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We run two teams - a hardball team that plays on Sunday afternoons and a softball team that plays in shorter midweek games. Our members are welcome to play in whichever format they prefer (or both!). We only play friendly matches - we are "the friendly team" in more ways than one! - and selection is not ability-based. Ultimately we want to put out teams that are mixed in terms of gender, age and ability. 

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As a club, we're champions of authentic friendly cricket - but we also want to play a role in rethinking it and changing the narrative around it. So much "friendly" cricket is unimaginative and not particularly welcoming. We want to help create a friendly "scene" that is vibrant, supportive, inclusive, creative and forward-thinking.  

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Mersey Rose Recreationals will not be winning any leagues, clubs or national championships. But hopefully we will win friends and become known for our inclusive values and ethos. 

We are a club that is proud to be different, proud to be pioneering and proud to be unashamedly inclusive.