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International Women’s Day: Inspiring Women & Girls on and off the field
To mark International Women’s Day, we wanted to shine the light on some of the unsung stars who make Somerset County Cricket Club so special.
2025 will see a professional women’s team take to the field for Somerset for the first time and we are incredibly proud to now be the home of the best players in the region. We are equally proud of the female role models within the organisation who work tirelessly to ensure that the Club thrives off the field.
More than 40% of our non-cricket staff are women and today we are delighted to shine the spotlight on Sarah Trunks (Operations Director), Laura Lewis (Pathway Operations Lead) and Nicola Hockey (Membership & Ticketing Executive). We also caught up with Caroline Herbert (Commercial Director), Becky Maher (Membership Sales Executive), Lily Harvey (Somerset Women Social Media & Content Lead), Molly Walker (Events Supervisor) and Phoebe Safe (Hospitality Supervisor).
Tell us about your journey. How have you got to where you are currently?
Nicola Hockey: I joined the Club as a receptionist in June 2016. I previously worked in M&S Bureau and thought this would be a good place to work after visiting the ground previously to renew Memberships and watch games. Customer service was always important at M&S so I felt I could transfer those skills. The position of Membership & Ticketing Executive became available and with the experience I had gained it seemed a natural step for me to take and to learn more.
Sarah Trunks: My career journey has primarily been at Somerset CCC. I started working part time on Reception whilst finishing my degree and after graduating I was offered a full-time position and haven’t looked back. I’ve been fortunate to have worked in a variety of roles within the Commercial Department and recently moved into Operations, becoming Operations Director.
Laura Lewis: I have been at SCCC for seven years. The role was initially attached to Somerset Cricket Board, now Foundation, and then moved across to SCCC in 2020. Over the last seven years the Pathway has gone through significant changes in structure creating many more opportunities for young players in the region.
Was sport always the dream?
ST: I’ve always enjoyed live events, be that sport or music. Growing up locally, I spent many memorable evenings and weekends at the CACG with family and friends watching Somerset play and as a fan first, I was certainly attracted to working for the Club.
NH: If I’m honest, I would have to say no. I started out working in a travel agent!
LL: Cricket has always been a huge part of my life, but I never thought of it as a career option until I reached a point in my working life where I was looking for a job to develop my skills in an environment that I loved. This led me to a customer service role within cricket elsewhere and, a few years later, my current role at Somerset.
Have you experienced any barriers to furthering yourself within the industry?
LL: Cricket is always busy and, at times, all consuming, but I find it hugely enjoyable, rewarding and inclusive and I’ve always felt supported, encouraged and valued at SCCC.
ST: Not at all. I’ve been very fortunate at Somerset to be surrounded by supportive colleagues both past and present who have encouraged my development. The Club has recognised and invested in me personally, for which I’m very grateful. We’ve always had a strong female representation across our staff group and in leadership roles.
NH: I’m really pleased to be able to say that I haven’t experienced anything like that in my role.
What advice would you give to women or girls looking at getting involved in the professional sports industry?
NH: Go for it! You never know where things will lead. If you never try, you’ll never know what’s possible.
LL: There are so many areas to explore. It’s not just the players, there are roles for pretty much every skill set in sport and everyone is as important as the next. Keep your mind open to every possibility. You never know where an opportunity might take you.
ST: My advice would be to work hard and forge meaningful connections both within your environment and with your counterparts at other Clubs. You need to be prepared to step outside your role at times to help your colleagues in their hour of need, and to reach out to others to learn and/or share best practice. Also, celebrating each other’s successes is key to building a network which will prove invaluable when you need help, guidance or sometimes, just a favour!
What is the best piece of advice that you have received?
ST: I was once told to make myself invaluable, and at different times of my career that phrase has perhaps meant different things. Ultimately though, working hard and with integrity, being willing to go above and beyond, and having a consistent, positive, can-do attitude has certainly stood me in good stead.
NH: The thing that stands out for me wasn’t necessarily a piece of advice but a saying. ‘Good News, bad news, good news’ – if you have bad news to tell, make sure you have positive information at hand so that you can advise as well so you don’t have to dwell on the negative.
LL: Self happiness must come first. If you are happy with you, happiness with find you in other ways too. I was also brought up and encouraged to do things I enjoy. Yes, we all have to do things we don’t want to occasionally but if you can find a job, people, activities that make you want to get out of bed in the morning it makes the less enjoyable bits of life so much easier.
Who has inspired you during your career so far?
LL: My family are my constant, my Pathway colleagues make me want to be the best I can be to support their hard work and vision and, most recently, my daughter and wanting to be the best I can be for her.
NH: Although there isn’t one individual I could name. I’ve worked with several people and learnt valuable information and knowledge from them, throughout my career. Male and female.
ST: I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with many outstanding individuals, past and present within the Club, the game, and the ECB more broadly. Three standout individuals who particularly inspired, pushed and supported me in different ways are Sally Donoghue, Jez Curwin and Guy Lavender.
Would you recommend a career in this industry to women and girls?
ST: Yes, of course! At times there are long hours and plenty of hard work but it’s exponentially rewarding too. The team ethos goes beyond the playing side, and knowing that you’ve played a small but vital part in the team’s success on and off the field is truly special.
NH: Yes! I would definitely recommend it.
LL: Of course. Women & girl’s cricket is expanding so quickly! New opportunities and avenues are being created all the time. It’s such an exciting time to be a female in cricket.
What does Somerset CCC mean to you?
NH: Before I worked at the Club, it was the team that my family loyally supported, and growing up I would attend with them occasionally. I soon learnt that we have very loyal and passionate supporters. We all want the team to be successful and win trophies. We all work hard at the Club but try to enjoy ourselves as well.
LL: Family and strength. I’ve worked in lots of environments with all sorts of people. I have never felt so valued, supported and inspired as I do here. SCCC are a family, both on and off the field, and that creates the strongest feeling of togetherness and loyalty. I am so proud to be a part of SCCC and feel incredibly lucky to be a small part of such a wonderful team. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
ST: Somerset will always hold a special place in my heart. The Club means so much to so many and we feel that daily at the CACG.
How important is it that Somerset now has a professional women’s team?
NH: I think it’s great that we have a Women’s team along with the men to represent the Club. Woman’s sport is growing all the time and we can now hopefully captivate the audience for the women’s game. Also, supporters will have more of an affiliation to the team, with it being Somerset.
ST: It’s incredibly important for both the growth of the Club and the game. We have proudly called ourselves the Spiritual Home of Women’s Cricket for many years and have been proactively supporting the professional and recreational growth for some time now. It’s fantastic to see how the game has grown and what opportunities lie ahead for female players in the UK and beyond. Being awarded the Tier 1 tender was a proud moment for both the Club and us as individuals and we can’t wait to see the team in action this summer.
LL: Hugely. It gives young girls something to aspire to and shows their families and friends what’s possible. It gives women who lived through a childhood where there weren’t the opportunities there are now a chance to live their dream. It brings new people to the game, whether that’s as supporters or to careers in the industry or both.
Why is it so important that we promote International Women’s Day?
ST: It’s very important to promote and celebrate international Women’s Day. We often hear the saying “see it to believe it”, and with the growth of the women’s game alongside celebrating the successes of Women in sport both on and off the field, hopefully we can inspire more women and girls to work, watch or play our sport.
NH: I think it really important because we have a duty to help raise awareness, promote equality, empower women and girls, and highlight opportunities.
LL: To inspire and educate all; young and old, of any gender
If you could change something about the sport or the industry, what would it be?
ST: My early experiences of cricket would have been “backyard” or “beach” cricket with our neighbours, family, and friends. It would be fantastic to see cricket being played regularly within the state school curriculum, ensuring it is accessible to all from a young age.
LL: People’s perception of cricket being ‘posh’ or ‘boring’ or both. It’s so far from that. It’s inclusive and it offers something for everyone on so many levels.
NH: For me, it’s something that’s been raised in the media this week within cricket and that’s equal pay for men and women.
How important is it that women and girls are inspired by the Club both on and off the field?
NH: It’s so important. Hopefully, we as a Club can make them think about and see what they can aspire to be.
LL: It’s important for the Club, and the game, to inspire everyone, regardless of gender, religion, creed etc. The more areas and people you can represent, the more knowledge you share and the more connections you make.
ST: It’s vital. Cricket is evolving at pace and the growth in the women’s game has and will continue to play its part. If we can inspire more women and girls to support, watch, work, volunteer or play the game by creating fun, safe and inclusive environments through exceptional experiences on and off the field, the game will be far stronger across the South West and beyond.
