Another 'in conversation' evening introduced us to James Carr – director of cricket of the Northern Diamonds and of the wider women's game in Yorkshire and the North-East.
This relaxed format was a perfect way to get to know James, a relatively new name to many but a coach fizzing with energy, enthusiasm and ideas.
James first got interested in cricket through watching on Channel 4 and playing Kwik and street cricket while at primary school in Lancashire.
He played more formal, red-ball cricket at high school and joined a local club in 2001. While studying PE at college, he naturally veered towards coaching and over the next ten years completed his qualifications while working full-time in retail and project management.
He was constantly looking for a role in cricket and his first opportunity came in New Zealand – as Cricket Development Officer for Southland, next stop Antarctica!
There he found an area the size of Yorkshire but with a population of only 100,000, and I'm guessing a few sheep too …
The rural environment came as quite a culture shock but the local passion for sport and cricket helped him to adapt. During his two years there he did everything. Coaching at all levels from junior to first-class, acting as ground manager, bus driver, cleaner or commentator – it all came with the territory.
Back in the UK, James spent two years as Cricket Development Officer for the City of Edinburgh, before taking up his current post in March 2020.
After an 'exciting' induction day at Headingley – he's a self-confessed badger after all – he began work just as Covid struck. On Day 1 he was handed his laptop through the bars of the St Michael's Lane gate, and thereafter worked from home, initially as the only employee.
Starting from scratch to recruit staff and players, he and his seven regional colleagues worked together to get the new structure off the ground.
Since then the women's game has evolved significantly: more TV coverage, better pitches, a more stable schedule and so on. In an odd way Covid helped, enabling a wider group of women to commit to cricket as they weren't at work, in school or university. And they could play on first-class grounds.
Now in 2023 the Northern Diamonds set-up has doubled in size, with twice as many matches, contracted playing staff (10 instead of 5), and coaching and medical staff.
The academy is developing, with two sub-regions in the North-East, so more girls are can go to trials, with around 600 competing for 250 places.
And women now see cricket as a viable career option – as players and, if they keep up their studies, in retirement.
A player dropped from the England squad once had few chances to remain in the professional game. Today, however, women can move in and out of the national team as form and fitness allow.
More cricket at under-19 and Lions level, and in different formats, gives more opportunity to move up and down the ladder like the boys and men do.
The Northern Diamonds had a great year in 2022, tasting victory at Lords in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
But this winter it's all change, with the loss of several senior players.
In 2023 the Northern Diamonds will be looking to youngsters like England under-19 stars Emma Marlow and Lizzy Scott.
Emma is developing well as a spinner while pacer Lizzy will be eyeing a strike bowling role after her experience at Lords.
Also up and coming are Phoebe Turner, Leah Dobson and Grace Hill, all from the academy and likely to find places.
James looks to coach people rather than gender. The individual and their ability both need coaching, and understanding who you are and who they are helps.
James has no experience of coaching at Test-level as women seldom play this format and are unlikely to do so any time soon.
But he does think there is a need for some longer red-ball cricket and that a first step may be to extend some white-ball matches to two days.
State schools struggle to offer cricket – indeed PE generally – to boys as well as girls.
James has no quick fix for this but but recognises the challenge of introducing youngsters to the game.
Chance to Shine offers sessions to state schools, and the English Schools Cricket Association is working hard to attract more girls, but maybe clubs need to get involved too provided they do so in the right way.
James still has aspirations to wear the 3 Lions and to represent England in some way.
While never good enough as a player, he'd be very proud to serve English cricket in any capacity.
The North-East area is large, so James travels a lot (too much!) in his work. He does have the support of a good team who get to matches, scout for talent, and see both local and opposition players.
James has strong memories of last September's Lords final, pacing around 'like an expectant father' during some parts of the game.
But he has none at all of the aftermath!
After a whirlwind year 1, year 2 included unsuccessful 20 and 50 over finals, but the Lords match was different.
The Diamonds hadn't lost a 50-over match all year, so the approach was to treat it as 'just another game' and the atmosphere was generally calm. This enabled players to concentrate on their strengths and stay relaxed, although their eventual score was below par.
James described it again as 'the most incredible day'.
Yorkshire CCC is very welcoming to women's cricket – giving access to all its facilities.
Some education has been needed, less around gender differences than around the name of the team. The Northern Diamonds represent Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, so three counties rather than one.
Beverley Town CC has more and more girls playing cricket, including Alice who was in our audience tonight. As the eldest of three girls, she plays in a mixed team but her younger sisters now play in all-female sides.
From a skills development perspective, playing in a mixed team can help, thinks James.
In New Zealand the girls wanted to play with their friends, including boys, and resisted the idea of all-female teams.
But it all depends on the individual. Sporting development is not always linear. Young players need to absorb feedback, develop their strengths, identify and remedy weaknesses and work on all-round athletic ability.
Simon Foster delivered a generous vote of thanks – and the raffle raised around £90, so thanks to everyone who contributed.
International Women's Day on 8 March will see the launch of The Diamond Cut – a documentary about the Lords final that so overwhelmed James.
So video recorders at the ready … or perhaps just follow the link above?