U13 Charters' Girls Cricket Team Celebrate a Memorable First Season

The U13 Girls Cricket team from Charters have enjoyed a triumphant and enriching first season in the Reading District Cricket League, marking a significant milestone both on and off the pitch.

The Charters team showed remarkable determination and teamwork, competing against other schools within the league in a series of exciting home and away matches. Their hard work and commitment paid off as they qualified for the league final - an impressive feat for any team, let alone one with some students who were in their first season playing the sport.

The final, played under scorching sunshine last Friday, was a spirited contest. Charters gave it their all, demonstrating strong skills in batting, bowling, and fielding. Although they narrowly missed out on victory to a seasoned team from The Holt School, the girls walked away with their heads held high, proud runners-up medals around their necks and smiles on their faces - helped along by the post-match refreshments generously provided by Reading Blue Coat School.

Mrs Hartwell, who coached the team throughout the season, praised the girls’ development: “I’m incredibly proud of how far they’ve come. Every single player has shown growth - not just in cricket skills, but in confidence, teamwork, and resilience.”

This experience speaks to the broader value of extra-curricular sport. Beyond wins and losses, it offers young people the chance to build vital life skills such as leadership, communication, and perseverance. Whether it’s turning up to practice, working through tough matches, or learning from defeat, the U13 team’s journey is a shining example of how sport can shape character.

Thanks also go to Mr Mackie from Maiden Erlegh for organising the competition, which has clearly inspired many young cricketers to aim higher and dream bigger.

Charters’ U13 girls may have finished as runners-up, but in every meaningful sense, this season has been a winning one.