The Unicorns Sport Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access and opportunity through cricket and sport, today announced Aspire Cricket as its Official Girls’ & Women’s Pathway Partner, formalizing the next chapter of a long-standing collaboration with the San Francisco Unicorns to grow girls’ and women’s cricket across California.
The announcement builds on a relationship established in 2024, when the San Francisco Unicorns named Aspire Cricket its Official Non-Profit Partner. Since then, the Unicorns have supported Aspire’s grassroots initiatives, helping introduce girls and young women to cricket through introductory clinics, skills-development programs and community events.
Together, the organizations have reached more than 250 girls across Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, and Compton through key initiatives including the annual SF Unicorns Family Day, Girls Inc. programs, and the Sparkle Squad 6-week introductory cricket program—with the next wave of players preparing for the launch of the Aspire Cricket League this winter.
The partnership reflects the Unicorns’ early commitment to investing in girls’ and women’s cricket, an ambition now being advanced through the Foundation’s broader community strategy.
Bridging the gender gap in cricket
Bridging the gender gap is one of the Unicorns Sport Foundation’s three strategic priorities, alongside removing barriers to access and equity and developing grassroots cricket pathways and infrastructure.
Through its partnership with Aspire Cricket, the Foundation will support the development of a more connected girls’ cricket pathway, from introductory youth programs to league and hardball competitions.
The collaboration will focus on increasing participation among girls and young women, creating opportunities to develop fundamental cricket skills in a supportive environment, and providing pathways for players to progress into competitive cricket.
The Foundation will also continue working with Aspire Cricket to make the sport more accessible to disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, helping address barriers that can prevent young people from participating.
Building on an established track record
Founded by a group of experienced international and domestic cricketers, Aspire Cricket is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and growth of girls’ and women’s cricket in the United States.
The organization’s work with the San Francisco Unicorns has included its annual Girls Inc. of Alameda County Discover Cricket Summer Series, introductory cricket clinics, family engagement events and youth development programs.
Through the Girls Inc. Eureka program, Aspire and the Unicorns have introduced cricket to groups of more than 75 girls, primarily ages 13–17, combining cricket instruction with opportunities to build confidence, teamwork and leadership.
More recently, Aspire’s six-week Sparkle Squad beginner program has provided another entry point for girls new to the sport, while the development of a youth girls’ hardball league represents the next stage in creating opportunities for continued participation and competitive play.
The partnership will build on these existing programs, with the Foundation supporting Aspire’s delivery of girls’ cricket initiatives and its longer-term ambition to establish clear development pathways.
Monika Bickert, Board Member of the Unicorns Sport Foundation, said:
“Having grown up playing competitive sports, I know firsthand how much those experiences can shape a young person’s confidence, friendships and ambitions. I would love to see more girls have that opportunity through cricket.
“The Unicorns have been supporting Aspire Cricket’s work for several years, and I’m particularly excited that we’re building on that relationship through the Foundation. As our Official Girls’ & Women’s Pathway Partner, Aspire brings valuable experience, and I look forward to working with Sindhu and her team to reach more girls, develop mentorship opportunities and help young women stay involved in the game as they grow.”
Sindhu Sriharsha, Co-Founder of Aspire Cricket & Former USA Cricket Captain, said:
“At Aspire, we’ve always believed that success isn’t measured only by how many girls go on to play competitive cricket. It’s also about the confidence they build, the friendships they form and the leadership skills they carry with them.”
“Some of these girls may go on to represent their country. Others may become entrepreneurs, executives, coaches or community leaders. And others may simply become fans. We want to give them the opportunity to aspire to all of it. The Unicorns have supported that belief for years, and this next chapter with the Foundation allows us to take that commitment further.”
The partnership forms part of the Unicorns Sport Foundation’s ambition to engage more than 10,000 young people across the Bay Area and deliver 100 community programs by 2030.
By investing in established organizations such as Aspire Cricket, the Foundation aims to build sustainable programs that expand access to cricket while creating opportunities for participation, skill development and long-term involvement in the sport.
For more information, visit the Unicorns Sport Foundation and Aspire Cricket
