Domestic female cricket players in Australia are getting a pay rise, with Cricket Australia announcing an increase to player payments in both the WNCL and WBBL.
There will be a $1.2 million increase in retainers in women’s domestic cricket, including $800,000 for WNCL and $400,000 for the WBBL, providing higher base salaries for players.
WNCL contracted players will receive a 22 per cent increase for the 2021-22 season, and WBBL contracted payers will receive a 14 per cent increase for the same period.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said it’s an important step for driving gender equity for Australian cricket players.
“Our players have made enormous sacrifices the last 18 months and we are extremely proud to have been able to work alongside the ACA to provide a $1.2 million increase in retainers for the Weber WBBL and the WNCL,” Hockley said.
“The Weber WBBL continues to thrive and grow as one of the best women’s domestic sporting competitions in the world, and we can’t wait for the seventh edition, with every single game to be televised live for the first time.”
Another important step taken in driving gender equity for our game!
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) October 12, 2021
Nearly $4 million will be invested in overall support for women’s players across the ’21-22 season with retainer increases of $800,000 and $400,000 for WNCL and WBBL contracted players respectively 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gQhzed8flH
The increase in base salaries for female players comes after the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia reached an agreement to invest nearly $4 million in overall support for players.
Part of the agreement includes $320,000 for wellbeing support and $250,000 so players can bring their partners and dependents with them during time spent away from home.
Australian captain Meg Lanning said women’s cricket is not seeing success “by accident”, and that the sport has shown what can happen when you invest in female sport.
“Because of the success of the game over the past few years, in which women’s domestic cricket has played a crucial role, the ACA has worked with Cricket Australia to ensure this is reflected in an increase in player payments across both the WNCL and WBBL,” Lanning said.
“This is further supported by a number of additional programs funded by the ACA to support our domestic players as they successfully transition to a more professional environment.”