If you asked a group of people to list you 10 things that are quintessentially British, you’d probably wager that cricket would feature more often than not.
Your first thought about cricket most likely won’t be of the women’s game (unless you are already an avid fan) or of how the LGBTQA+ community overlaps with the cricketing world.
However, that may change as Georgia Adams of the Southern Vipers is currently leading the way in bringing awareness to both.
Last year we were delighted to announce our sponsorship of Georgia for this year’s RHF trophy, ECB T20 and The Hundred, as a first step in a greater support programme for women in sport that we will be running from our Sussex office.
Teamwork, strategy and working towards common goals; these are traits that financial planning and cricket have in common.
Read on to find out about our cricketing journey so far and some of the ways we’re working with Georgia to benefit young women in the community.
Georgia Adams winning trophies and breaking down barriers
Georgia is a woman at the very top of the national women’s game. She is not only captain of her club, but also her county.
Georgia has shown leadership both on and off the field, working with a range of charities as well as being a voice that champions both women in sport and the LGBTQA+ community.
As she has matured in her own life, settling down with her wife Amy and enjoying a very successful period in her career, she has also matured as a role model and has come to accept herself as someone that young women, especially LGBTQA+ women, can look towards for inspiration.
She said in a podcast interview: “I want to be a role model for younger girls, because I want people to understand that sport is for everyone, and if I can help as a role model, then it’s incredibly good.
“We support each other on and off the field, so no matter what people go through, we are there for each other and put an arm around someone’s shoulder if they need it.”
In the past she has taken part in events and helped raise money for Cancer Research UK, Lord’s Taverners, The Wellbeing of Women Shane Warne Memorial Fund and the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust.
She has also had her fair share of success on the field recently in leading the Southern Vipers to the 2022 Charlotte Edwards Cup and put them in contention to win this year’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint (RHF) Trophy. This has built on her previous success in winning the 2021 RHF Trophy and being part of the Oval Invincibles who won the inaugural Hundred.
Collaboration with Aspire
Sean Guirey, a partner based at the Sussex office, said of the announcement of Aspire’s sponsorship: “Having known Georgia for several years, it’s been a pleasure to watch her play and see her leadership skills develop. She is a perfect role model to promote this initiative.
“At my previous company, I supported Georgia while she endeavoured to become a professional cricketer. She is the daughter of my very close friend Chris Adams and I have followed her career very closely since she was eight years old.
“Aspire are very happy to support her in her quest to become an international cricketer.
“Having four daughters who are heavily involved in sport, I have a keen interest in supporting women in sport.”
Georgia is slowly coming to the conclusion of a long and very successful cricket season. Upon its conclusion, she is due to sit down with her wife Amy and conduct a financial review alongside the team at Aspire.
There has also been progress in expanding Georgia’s work with Aspire, through a collaboration with the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA).
Through funding support for the Academy in the form of providing kits and other forms of outreach, Aspire has helped push a talented group of youngsters led by a particularly exceptional talent in Emily James, to continue their sporting journeys. Emily is now a regular starter in the Sussex U13 squad and has a bright future ahead.
When asked about the help she’d received, Emily said: “I am grateful for the Aspire sponsorship as it enabled me to update my cricket equipment to Gray-Nicolls, as used by Georgia, which I now use constantly in training and matches.
“I am especially proud of the Aspire stickers on my bats. My aim is to make constant improvements to my game, make it as a professional cricket player, and hopefully one day represent my country.”
Sport has the power to not only benefit us physically but also to teach us many important life lessons.
It can build on important traits like teamwork, leadership, and mental fortitude. It also has the ability to positively affect a community and change lives as we’ve previously covered in our work with the Bright Sparks and Break the Cycle initiatives.
Cricket may just be a game for some, but for others it has the ability to change minds, break down barriers and bring about personal and professional success.
As the great Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Amir put it: “I think the more cricket you play, the more you will learn about yourself and learn about life in general.”
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about our charitable initiatives and work in the community then reach out to us helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or call 0117 9303510.
There are many ways to help those in need and perhaps along the way you’ll find a new teammate to help you on your own financial journey.
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