Leamington woman makes sporting history by being among first female cricketers to sign professional domestic contracts

Bethan, 21, starting playing with Leamington CC aged ten and has been with Warwickshire CCC since she was 13 - spending a year with the club's academy in 2017.

Last year, the all-rounder and opening batswoman, made her maiden century for Warwickshire, scoring 132 against Worcestershire CCC.

She also won the 2019 T20 Vitality Cup with the Birmingham Bears - Warwickshire T20 women's team.

After spending some time at Standard CC with Bob Cumberbatch she currently plays club cricket for Berkswell CC for the women and men's 2nd team where she has developed with her coaches former Warwickshire professional Dominic Ostler and women's team manager Sarah Ginn.

She was the first female to play in and win the Floodlit Cup with Berkswell held annually at Kenilworth CC.

The former Princethorpe College student won gold medals in the school games for both cricket and hockey and captained both the boys' and girls' first teams.

She is also a qualified coach working as an assistant coach for Warwickshire u13 girls and with the Complete Cricket company and has a bat sponsorship with B3.

She has signed with Lightning Cricket the East Midlands-based team in the new Women's Elite Domestic Cricket Structure.

She has also trained with Leamington Community Boxing Club.

Bethan, a Loughborough University student, said: "It's exciting times ahead for women’s cricket.

"I can’t wait to be a part of it.

"Thanks to all those who made it possible and to Lightning Cricket for the opportunity."

ECB managing director of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “We’re delighted that these 41 young women are able to call themselves full-time professional cricketers and we wish them every success.

“The introduction of these 41 professional players, in addition to our 17 Centrally Contracted England Women’s players is the most significant step forward for the women’s game in recent years.

“In terms of the health of women’s cricket in England and Wales, we cannot overestimate the importance of these 41 players having the opportunity to train and work on their skills full-time, with access to high quality coaching and facilities across the eight regions.