AT just 17 years old, Isa Guha became the first woman of south Asian origin to represent England in any sport, when she made her international cricket debut in 2002. And now, with her charitable foundation, Take Her Lead, launched in September 2022, the cricketer-turned-broadcaster is on a mission to “create a more inclusive environment to make sure that every woman and girl has the best possible experience of cricket – wherever, whenever and however they’re involved”. As a World Cup winner in the one-day and T20 format and a three-time Ashes winner, Gu ha is a role model in her own right within the women’s game. But, she says her new mission is inspired by her mother Roma, who passed away from cancer in 2019. “A teacher herself, she found happiness in guiding people towards their goals or forwarding people as she liked to call it. “She believed in humanity, and was interest ed in learning from different cultures through her respect for others and drive to create an inclusive environment wherever she went,” she wrote on the charity’s website. Guha says she wants to imbibe that philosophy in what they are trying to achieve with Take Her Lead, and in the process make cricket a place where every woman and girl can fulfil their potential and thrive. The pilot programmes saw over 300 aspiring cricketers, girls aged 8-18, hearing from elite cricketers in mentoring sessions. Working in collaboration with a range of partner organisations, they focus on three main areas – the Next Generation, Women’s Workforce, and Insight for Impact. While their Champions Programme looks to inspire girls and boys through aspirational female role models in the game, the For ward Drive Network is a community of women (16+) across cricket’s recreational game, pro viding a safe space to share experiences and connect with peers. In addition, they collate women and girls’ stories to provide insight and education to those who make the difference within the game, and develop and share best practice with clubs, cricket partners and anyone in volved in the recreational game. She is part of the advisory group that oversee England & Wales Cricket Board’s ambitious action plan to better engage with south Asian communities. Guha has been a trailblazer in cricket broadcasting, adding several firsts to her name, from becoming the first woman to commentate on an Indian Test Series for Star Sports to being the first British Asian woman to front BBC coverage, when she took over as lead presenter for the network’s return to televised cricket coverage in summer 2020. She has since expanded to other sports in a major way. She sits on the Wisden Crick et Monthly’s editorial board and is an ambassador the British Asian Trust.
