TeamPolice with Police Sport UK held the last of our series of webinars which have seen us through these last 12 months of lockdowns, 2 meter spacing, handwashing, vaccination rates, binging on box sets and interacting through a screen! There is a genuine feeling that maybe we might just be starting to come out of this period and so aptly we held our webinar on cricket, or to be more precise the state of police cricket.
Our panel consisted of Mick Martin Captain of the men’s cricket team and Mandy McGahie, Captain of women’s cricket, Chief Constable Lucy D’orsi British Transport Police, and Simon Franc from Anatomap our webinar sponsor.
It was evident from both Mick and Mandy their passion and commitment to the game of cricket. In terms of the state of cricket for both men and women it has improved over the years. In terms of women’s cricket it was in the past not well known or supported, but their recent inaugural tour has highlighted the women’s game. Mandy spoke of the desire to play cricket, bringing people together from all of the service. To expand the game and support it going forward. It was recognised as being important to get the message out and highlight the benefits of being part of cricket and a team.
Mick stated he had been part of the national committee, and the funding in the future through TeamPolice and Ethos is crucial. Funding is important and can be a challenge both for the tours and the grassroots of the game.
How do they attract new players?. Mandy mentioned that the met did not have a team. Mick spoke about the best way was word of mouth, and in force via the intranet. Mandy stated that it was quite limited now from when she joined when sport was encouraged a lot more.
Lucy stated she was new to Police cricket, but for her the position of women in sport is important and that it is about wellbeing. Her experience when she joined the Metropolitan Police was that sport was an important part of met life, but things have changed since then. She recognised the importance of sport to wellbeing and queried how it could be re energised in the Police without it undermining spending the public pound. She recognized the academic research and evidence that supports the importance of sport in physical and mental wellbeing. She spoke about how sport can empower women through sport.
Lucy questioned how in the service there is the conversation about sport, and allowing people to do this but recognising the public perception and pressures on resources in the service. I emphasized the value of TeamPolice and why it exists to raise the much needed funds through business sponsors, to avoid additional pressure on the public purse.
The conversation continued to emphasise the importance of sport for all in the police family. The common theme of trying to get a consensus across all forces on how to support everyone in sport across the service was again raised.
One of the suggestions that came from both Mick and Mandy was having the opportunity to play other teams outside the service and also at prestigious venues.
I will look forward to when we can watch the Police play cricket at Lords!
Full video of the webinar below.
THE CRICKETING PANEL
Simon Cole QPM
Chief Constable Leicestershire
Chair of Police Cricket
VIEW BIOGRAPHY
Simon Cole QPM took up his position as Chief Constable of Leicestershire in June 2010.
Having been educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester, Simon joined West Midlands Police on the Graduate Entry Scheme. He worked in Birmingham in various uniform roles, as well as being Staff Officer to the Chief Constable and a Detective Inspector in West Bromwich. Simon rank jumped to promotion as Operations Superintendent in Handsworth, before becoming Commander of Dudley South Operational Command Unit. Simon joined Hampshire Constabulary in 2003 as Assistant Chief Constable and was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2008.
Simon led nationally for National Police Chief’s Council on disability issues until March 2016 and between April 2012 and March 2019 Simon was Chairman of what is now The National Police Chiefs’ Council Local Policing and Partnerships Coordinating Committee.
In 2014 Simon was very proud to be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours List, and was touched to be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University.
Lucy D’Orsi
Chief Constable British Transport Police
Vice Chair of Police Cricket
VIEW BIOGRAPHY
Lucy D’Orsi joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992. She was in charge of the police response to London’s largest fire of 2006, in Beaufort Park, Hendon, and has headed special operations relating to illegal weapons. She moved from Enfield to be Chief Superintendent and Borough Commander in Hammersmith and Fulham from March 2011 to March 2014 after which she was promoted to Commander in East London.
On the 3rd December 2020, the British Transport Police Authority announced that Lucy D’Orsi would be the next Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. She will take over the role from February 2021.
Simon Franc
CEO Anatomap
Our Webinar Sponsor
VIEW BIOGRAPHY
Simon Franc is the CEO of Anatomap, a UKAS accredited technology company, focused on building apps which empower victims, enhance evidence, boost conviction rates and increase public confidence.
As well as being the Founder of Anatomap, Simon is also the CEO of Forensic Equity, a leading independent Forensic Science Service Provider.
Simon is a proud member of the Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and in 2020 contributed to the Parliamentary Review.
Simon is incredibly passionate about justice and public safety and ensuring that those who look after us are themselves looked after; supporting their wellbeing through sport given that ultimately, we are all part of the same team.
Mick Martin
Police Cricket Mens Captain
VIEW BIOGRAPHY
I have been part of the Policing Family for just over 13 years now, I joined Gwent back in 2008 when I became a Police Community Support Officer covering Chepstow. I have been playing the game since I was 6 years old and have representative cricket in my local area of Newport since I was 15. In my years in university I played the Cardiff UCCE and travelled around the country playing against some very fine cricketers. I became part of the South Wales and Gwent team in 2012 where we won the National Final. I was fortunate enough to score a hundred in that game and catch the eye of the national selectors. The following year I was part of the second week of British Police Tour and was lucky to get a few scores and wickets and have been part of British Police since that year. In 2016 I had the honour of becoming British Police Captain and look forward to the tours every year.
Mandy McGachie
Police Cricket Ladies Captain
VIEW BIOGRAPHY
My love of cricket started as a child as I went along with my dad every weekend. Playing cricket on the sidelines with the boys never phased me and when the chance to play for a ladies team (aged about 14) came along I grabbed it. I played County cricket as a junior for both Middlesex and Surrey and naturally progressed into senior cricket developing as an opening bat, the highlight being a century on the first day of the County Championships. Upon joining the Metropolitan Police Cadets in 1989 I was keen to be part of the cricket team, despite being met with reservations that women can’t play cricket. The annual Commissioner v Cadet’s cricket match was a highlight. The then Commissioner, Sir Peter Imbert, arriving for the match at Hendon via helicopter. I was part of the Kingston Police cricket team, little did I know that this would lead to a marriage proposal and 27 years later we are still going strong. My own cricket flourished and I was in and out of the England Ladies Cricket training squads for a number of years before children came along. Despite retiring from the Met last year I am now involved in the Police recruit pathway. It is a true honour to be asked to Captain the BPCC Ladies team. This is a great opportunity to lay the early foundations for the ladies section for many years to come.