MEET THE TEAM

Meet the team of 6 UK-based volunteers who will be joining Cricket Without Boundaries’ coaches across Eastern Nepal to make this project happen!

Hi! I’m Sara,

I’m the Project Leader for this project and Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at CWB. I’m a cricket tragic who’s even managed to build cricket into my PhD, which is about transforming harmful gender norms through cricket in Nepal and which has shaped a lot of the work we are going to be doing on this project.

I’ve been volunteering with CWB since 2015. A lot of my work with CWB is linked to capacity strengthening activities and pilot projects, so this will actually only be my 4^th conventional volunteer project where I’m a full-time member of the team, and the first one since COVID, so I’m excited to being back in that big team environment! I’m confident we will be able to get the most out of the invaluable resource that is a CWB volunteer team to help make cricket, and society, more gender equal in Nepal.

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? Bowling! You can have another go if you bowl a wide!!
Walk-on tune? Generator – The Holloways
Comfort food? Cheesy Mashed Potatoes – which you definitely can’t get here in Nepal
Closest to World Class at? Waiting in lines without getting stressed

I’m Ali,

And after 30 years as a pharmacist I thought it was time to do something more fun, so now I coach cricket! It was my first CWB trip which gave me the confidence for the career change, and I enjoyed it so much, I’ve done 4 more!

I love the African projects, but I’m really looking forward to Nepal as there will be more focus on opportunities for girls, and it’s also a part of the world completely new for me.

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? There’s nothing quite like the ball coming off the middle of the bat and heading towards the boundary. Unless it’s the feeling when the batter misses the ball you bowled and it hits the stumps. Or maybe when you run towards the ball and grab it just before it hits the ground.
Walk-on tune? Search For The Hero
Comfort food? Chips
Closest to World Class at? Being a Sports Fan

I’m Yolanda

A retired project manager who does not admit to being more than 22 years old. I have travelled to Uganda and Rwanda with CWB.

Nepal? Been here for a few days and love the people.

I am off to the mountains in a couple of days so I suppose I am looking forward to meeting the school pupils and seeing the country.

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? Neither. I am an umpire and scorer. When I did get roped into playing I enjoyed fielding most.
Walk-on tune? Strangely they always play the theme to The Omen when I step across the boundary rope.
Comfort food? Noodles
Closest to World Class at? I bake a mean lemon drizzle cake and I am ace at operating the scoreboard at The Oval

I’m Saqib and I’m a cricket maniac!

I love playing, watching, coaching, playing, talking about and playing cricket. My other interests include bodybuilding, football, travelling, films and TV series, music and eating!

I jumped at the possibility of my first trip with CWB as it combined cricket (you may spot a theme here) with the chance to travel to a new country and build on my coaching experience. 

I’m looking forward to sharing my love of cricket with everyone we encounter, eating my body weight in Momos and being the headline DJ for our group – I have very eclectic taste.

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? Bowling (and slogging)
Walk-on tune? Ginuwine – Pony
Comfort food? Keema Aloo Muttar (minced Lamb with potatoes and peas)
Closest to world class at? Patience, Sarcasm and Eating

I’m Rob

I’m a self employed consultant who coaches junior cricket and excels in the extreme sport of village cricket. A game played on Sundays by old men of a very poor standard with uncertain temperament using terrible pitches with the result usually determined by the team who drops the least number of catches.. Sunday afternoons are saved by cricket teas with good cakes washed down by after match beer and banter.

This is my first CWB trip having volunteered to put my coaching skills to use in a more meaningful way. My own experience of coaching children has taught me that those who gain the greatest fulfilment from playing cricket are often those who are in some way disadvantaged so I am really looking forward to supporting greater gender equality.

I haven’t been to the sub continent before and I am looking forward to meeting the people of Nepal and experiencing their culture. Hopefully this involves egg sandwiches and lemon drizzle cake too.

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? Both. Batting average higher than bowling average on account of my dibbly dobbly bowling on terrible village wickets. Walk-on tune? Always  look on the bright side of life – Eric Idle.
Comfort food? Cheese (and red wine)
Closest to World Class at? Procrastination.

I’m Kajal

and I love most sports but my no.1 priority is framing my life around cricket fixtures and doing anything possible to promote women’s cricket. I went to my first cricket match with my dad at the age of 3 and I have loved it ever since. 

This is my first trip with CWB and I am looking forward to bringing awareness of gender equality within cricket. When I was at school, cricket for girls did not exist nor were there any local clubs where girls could learn to play cricket and culturally, we were told girls could not play cricket. I never want a girl to experience this in the present day as I believe everyone should have an opportunity to play any sport. 

With CWB, I hope to be able to combine my previous mentoring and coaching skills in the corporate world and my experience tutoring disadvantaged children together with my passion for cricket to show that anything is possible.

I am looking forward to an enriching experience in the Himalayas and discovering a new culture, meeting different people and igniting my interest in becoming a cricket coach in the future (I’m a bit scared to start the journey but I know CWB will show me the way!)

Quick fire round!
Batting or bowling? I cannot bowl but I hope to learn from our wonderful team as I absolutely love the sound of that middle stump flying away.
Walk-on tune? Faithless “Insomnia”
Comfort food? Daal and rice or anything cheesy!
Closest to world class at? I’m a polyglot and love learning languages (even my degree was Modern Languages!)