Letter from 11-year-old on gender sensitivity strikes a chord
Olivia’s hand-written letter was posted on Twitter by Bulimba Cricket Club – she plays in their all-girls' team – and it was promptly shared by Alyssa Healy, who Olivia called “a great role model”.
In her letter, Olivia said she was “completely obsessed by cricket” and had gone to a retail store to buy batting pads. Unfortunately, she could only find them in the size listed ‘boys’.
Beautifully argued request from player in our Heat Girls League team. Fair point made. Thnx for response so far @KookaburraCkt. @ahealy77 pic.twitter.com/y2N4gftG6u
— Bulimba Cricket Club (@BulimbaCricket) August 24, 2018
“It made me a little bit sad that the size was just called ‘boys’ as so many girls are playing cricket now,” she wrote.
“I think you should consider changing the size name from ‘boys’ to ‘kids’ because women’s cricket is growing very fast, especially with the WBBL [Women's Big Bash League] and the Southern Stars winning the women’s Ashes.”
Olivia you are a little legend for writing this! @KookaburraCkt are on the ball and recognised this. Cricket is a sport for all and I’m so pumped you love the game! See you during the summer I hope! https://t.co/ZaxkbwqvzI
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 24, 2018
The manufacturers promptly responded, quite charmingly, saying, “In 2017, we switched all of our sizing to Juniors and Adults rather than the old style of boys and mens (sic).
“It may have been old stock you saw in Rebel, but regardless shows how important change is!”
Healy also weighed in, saying, “Olivia you are a little legend for writing this!”