Clare Connor to become MCC’s first woman president

Former England captain Clare Connor will become the first woman president of MCC in the club’s 233-year history.

She will be replacing Kumar Sangakkara who became the first non-British president of the club.

“I am deeply honoured to be named the next president of MCC,” Connor said. “Cricket has enriched my life so deeply already, and now it hands me this wonderful privilege.

Connor, who is currently the ECB’s Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, will take up the position from October 1, 2021 and her tenure will end by September 30, 2022.

“We often need to look back to see how far we’ve come. I made my first visit to Lord’s as a starry-eyed, cricket-obsessed nine year-old girl at a time when women were not welcome in the Long Room. Times have changed. Now I find myself entrusted with this remarkable opportunity – the opportunity to play a part in helping MCC, cricket’s most influential club, to thrive and grow in an even more modern and inclusive future.”

Clare Connor debuted for England as a teenager in 1995. She became England captain in 2000. Five years later, she became the first England captain to win the women’s Ashes in 42 years. Years later, she retired and took over the role of ECB’s Head of Women’s Cricket in 2007.

 She has also been Chair of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee since 2011, served as a director on the board of Sussex Cricket and Sport England and was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC in 2009.

Feature Image courtesy: MCC