Teenage founders breaking boundaries for women's cricket

Pioneering female clothing brand, Maiden Cricket, is heralding a new dawn for women's cricket by redefining the game for female players

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Pioneering female clothing brand, Maiden Cricket, is heralding a new dawn for women’s cricket by redefining the game for female players. 

Fed up with wearing uncomfortable and ill-fitting cricket gear made solely for boys, teenage sisters Honor (17) and Cat (16) Black launched Maiden Cricket in 2024. Specifically designed for female cricketers, Maiden offers stylish, comfortable and functional clothing so players can feel, look and play their best. 

Chichester-based Honor and Cat’s love of the game started when they were at infant school. Their father, Oliver, took the girls to the local club one weekend, where the girls caught the sporting bug. 

Whilst they became hooked, it soon became clear there were gaps in the field between boys’ and girls’ sport - whilst boys were allowed to play cricket in school, the girls had to make do with rounders. Honor and Cat’s natural talent saw them join the local county team, and following much badgering and Cat topping bowling averages across the boys’ team, their school finally allowed them to start a dedicated girls’ team. 

But as their passion grew, so did the frustration with kit that just didn’t fit. Oversized trousers, boxy jerseys and shirts that gaped or clung in the wrong places — it felt like they were always playing in someone else’s whites. The gear may have been standard issue, but for girls on the rise, it was anything but a good fit. It’s then that Maiden was born.

More than just a brand, Maiden is a declaration that cricket is for everyone. Honor and Cat are on a mission to reshape the field for female cricketers with their innovative designs, meticulously crafted to girls’ unique needs – both in terms of function and fashion. The apparel is both stylish and comfortable, ensuring it won’t let you down – a common fear for females who regularly have to wear cricket whites or other sports kit. 

Ethically made in India, a proud home to cricket, the Maiden signature range includes the Mid-On Top, Century Zipper, Yorker Gilet, Fine Leg Shorts, Nightwatch Trousers and Test Match Trousers, all available in girls and women’s sizes. You’ll also find matching accessories, including headbands and beamer caps, alongside Maiden-branded equipment, such as cricket gloves, pads and bags. Clubs, schools, universities and county teams can also order customised teamwear with their logo and colours of choice. 

Honor Black, co-founder at Maiden, said: “Cricket was a game we fell in love with as kids. But, every time we wore those oversized jerseys and trousers, it felt like we were borrowing someone else’s dream. With Maiden, we want every female to know that this dream is theirs, too.

“We put a lot of thought and detail into each of the designs for our clothing (even making the move away from traditional whites) and have had brilliant feedback from girls who have tried them so far, especially for the trousers. We want to champion girls’ cricket; highlight what a fantastic sport it is for building confidence and team spirit. We’ve already built a fantastic community around Maiden — a sisterhood of girls playing with pride, lifting each other up, and looking and feeling good while they do it.”

As the business continues to grow, Maiden is on the lookout for brand ambassadors to help them drive the future of women’s cricket. 

The Maiden Ambassador Programme supports female players aged 8+ who are passionate about promoting inclusiveness and growing girls’ cricket in schools, universities, clubs and counties across the UK and further afield. 

Cricket players, coaches and mentors of all ages are encouraged to apply via the official website. Maiden run a Rising Stars programme for up-and-coming players aged 8-18, as well as a Heroes programme for anyone aged 18 and over with a passion for the sport. 

Successful applicants will receive exclusive gifts from Maiden and its partners, early access to product launches, opportunities to meet with sports and industry leaders, and the chance to participate in special events and activities throughout the year. 

In exchange, ambassadors are asked to represent Maiden Cricket at grass-roots level, promote girls’ cricket, and help to grow the game for future generations by leading from the front foot as a positive role model, both online and in-person.

Cat Black, co-founder at Maiden, added: “Maiden is not just clothing. It’s about creating a sense of belonging; a community where girls and women feel empowered and seen in sport. We’re so excited to kick off our Ambassador Programme, and can’t wait to bring more inspirational voices into the Maiden squad.”

The Maiden range is available to buy online, where cricket players, coaches and mentors of all ages can also apply to become an ambassador  – www.maiden-cricket.co.uk. 

For the latest updates about Maiden Cricket, follow their socials on @maiden.cricket