Emma Calvert named Surrey director of women’s cricket

Emma Calvert, currently regional director of women’s cricket for the South East Stars, will formally join Surrey at the end of the season to lead the new, professional Surrey team.

Calvert joined the Stars in October 2022 and has overseen the continued development of the regional side. In that time, the Stars have expanded the number of professional contracts from five to 11 and seen continued development of talented young players through the regional pathway as well as welcoming the side’s first overseas professional – South African star Tazmin Brits.

A significant focus has been given to increased support for player and staff personal and physical well-being including female healthcare and increased pastoral support.

As a young player, she was part of the Lancashire talent pathway before pursuing a career off the field in finance. Calvert is also on the board of directors for the British Wheelchair Basketball.

In April, Surrey were informed that they had been successful in bidding for a tier one women’s team after an extensive and thorough tender process. The new team will be based at The Kia Oval, with the Club committed to playing 50 per cent of the home fixtures at the ground.

Speaking about her appointment Emma Calvert said “I am really honoured to be given this opportunity at the best club in the country and cannot wait to get started. I have already seen from my time with the Stars that Surrey have given women’s cricket a huge amount of focus and commitment, and there is a long tradition of support for the women’s game at Surrey and the Kia Oval.

“The focus for the new team will be on developing players through the talent pathway who go on to represent the club and then win England honours – winning trophies on the pitch and winning fans off it.

“I am so proud of what has been achieved under the Stars banner and my absolute focus until the end of the season will be on this group of players and support staff achieving more success to end the Stars era.”

Steve Elworthy, Surrey chief executive, said: “Emma has had a fantastic impact at the South East Stars and I am confident in her ability to lead the new professional team at Surrey. Emma will not only bring a huge amount to the playing team on the pitch, fostering an exciting brand of cricket, but she will continue to champion the personal and physical well-being of the group and the pathway.

“Everyone at the club is very excited about the professional women’s team joining the Surrey family and we are already planning for the arrival of the entire squad.”

PICTURE: SURREY CCC