Lauren: "Standards on the rise"

Western Storm young gun Lauren Filer believes the quality of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy has noticeably stepped up another level in the early stages of the new season.

The women’s game continues to press forward with 22-year-old Filer one of 27 new players across the eight regional teams who earned a full-time contract during the winter.

Each team now boasts at least 10 full-time contracted players – double the number initially contracted in 2020 – and Filer has not only already felt the benefits in her own performances, but also in the competitiveness of her peers.

“Having so many full-time players now has made a massive difference to standards,” said Filer, who has taken seven wickets in the opening three rounds to sit equal top of the wicket taker’s list.

“We’ve only played a few games so far this season, but I’ve already noticed how much better everyone is performing. Every aspect of the game – batting, bowling and fielding – has gone up a notch and that has to be because players are now properly funded and able to devote more time to their preparation.

“It’s great to see and great to be a part of. The women’s game is progressing in the right way and that is incredibly exciting.”

Filer is regarded as one of the upcoming bowling talents in the women’s game, which was underlined by the eight women’s regional team captains when they predicted she would be one of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy’s leading wicket-takers in a pre-season survey.

Filer has so far proven those predictions are on the mark, and believes her ability to dedicate more time to her preparation has been key to that ahead of Storm’s trip to play Southern Vipers at Hove this Saturday.

“I’ve noticed differences already to being full-time. Physically, I’m fitter and stronger and I have done a lot more work with the physios designed to prevent injuries,” Filer said.

“Because of the hours you are able to put in, you are able to develop your game and improve technically as well.

“Although I devoted a lot of time to training before I became a professional, you do feel different. I feel there is an added responsibility on me now to help the younger players and show them what is needed to become a full-time cricketer and help them learn what is expected of them.

“It’s a new pressure, but at the same time, it’s a good pressure. I’m more aware and switched on now than I was before. The PCA have done a lot to help new players, especially in terms of overall development.”

In addition the progress the Storm set-up has enabled Filer to make, she pointed out that support from the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has also been vital in helping her navigate the uncertainty of what life as a professional would be like.

Filer had strived to attain full-time status ever since breaking into the regional game three years earlier, and after earning her contract the seam bowler attended the PCA’s rookie camp at Edgbaston in March.

Joined by team-mates Chloe Skelton and Niamh Holland, Filer took part in a series of educational workshops and took advantage of an opportunity to rub shoulders with fellow players and forge new contacts.

“It was good to get to know what the PCA do and to learn about the support they offer new professional players,” said Filer, who found a lecture on social media and professional sport especially useful.

“A lot of what they showed and told us at Rookie camp were the kind of things you would not necessarily know if you were new to the professional ranks. Because there have been so many new contracts handed out to women, there were a lot of girls there on the day.

“It was good to interact with other new players and it helped to know that there are plenty of others in the same boat. I knew a lot of the girls already, but it was good to chat to them and find out what they thought of being handed contracts and turning professional.”

Much to Filer’s relief, the PCA has a care of responsibility for newcomers and it is their declared intention to offer pastoral care if and when it is needed.

In many cases, players in the latest induction have left existing careers in order to pursue their dream, which has required a good deal of personal readjustment.

“I’ve not had to make a massive change myself, because graduating from university and going straight into cricket full-time was a natural progression,” revealed Filer.

“But for my team-mate, Chloe Skelton, it has meant making really big changes. She was employed as a full-time coach before, so had to make a big adjustment when the chance to play full-time came along. It’s that adjustment the PCA are trying to help players cope with.

“A lot of those girls who have been offered professional contracts this year were in the same position as Chloe, in that they had full-time jobs, many of them away from cricket altogether. For them, the leap is a big one and it’s good to know that the PCA are there to offer advice and support should you need it.

“There was a bit of fear in my final year at university, because I did not know whether or not I would land a contract. It was definitely a worry, but one that I tried to put to the back of my mind. You want so much to make cricket your career, but there are no guarantees.”