Photo Credit: Cricket Scotland
This Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, we’ll be finding out more about some of the women involved in our game, and how they are inspiring inclusion.
WHO ARE YOU?
My name is Moon Mughis, a married mother of two.
I currently volunteer as Head of Women & Girls Cricket at East Kilbride Cricket Club. There was no Women & Girls cricket section at the club, so in 2018 I started it up with my daughter; now we have more than 15 players, including other mothers and daughters, aged between 8 to 50.
I am proud to be the first female Scottish Pakistani ECB Level 2 qualified cricket coach.
For the last two years, I’ve also coached MCC girls at the Glasgow hub, which is a ten-week training programme. Earlier this season I was involved in conducting Regional young girls coaching at Glasgow through Cricket Scotland.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN CRICKET?
I always had a passion and interest in playing cricket. When I was very young, I used to play with my brothers in the courtyard and go with them to their matches, helping to fill water bottles and sometimes even standing in as a substitute fielder.
My family encouraged me to play formally, and I was then selected to play initially for my native city Karachi’s school cricket academy; I then got the chance to play for the Zonal and Karachi women’s cricket team.
Due to education, marriage and then raising my children, I took a little break from cricket. My husband then encouraged me to play cricket again, and I joined East Kilbride Cricket Club in 2018 alongside my daughter Nayma.
Whilst I love coaching, I still enjoy playing in the Women’s Premier League and participate in the Cricket Scotland Wee Bash tournaments.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCES OF CRICKET?
The biggest challenge in the women’s game is fear and shyness. Often, girls and women can be shy or hesitant to try the game; they may feel they might not be competitive or fit enough, or feel that people will make fun of them, or lack family support.
For me, my experiences since I became involved in cricket have always been great. My family and friends have always encouraged and supported me to play the sport and they have always backed me. As a player I have lovely memories and I am still so passionate about playing more cricket.
I really enjoy when I share the cricket pitch with my daughter Nayma, especially when I am bowling from one end, and she is from the other. As a coach everyone respects me, and it gives me more impetus towards coaching and serving the game of cricket. It was a wonderful experience this year to lift the Women’s Scottish Cup Trophy for West of Scotland alongside my daughter.
WHY SHOULD GIRLS AND WOMEN GET INVOLVED WITH CRICKET?
Cricket is a fun team sport made up of individuals with different values and beliefs. I would encourage girls and women to play cricket as they will not only feel good and spend time with friends, but also be involved in a healthy environment with players from different backgrounds and skills, which provides confidence and great social skills. The younger generation should absolutely believe that cricket is a game for them.
