ICC Guidelines: ICC’s big initiative for women cricketers, new guidelines issued for return to the game after pregnancy
Dubai: Taking a historic and important step for women cricketers, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday issued ‘Guidelines for return to the game after pregnancy’. Through these new guidelines, a complete and systematic system (framework) has been prepared for all the member boards, so that they can provide all possible help and support to the women players during their pregnancy, childbirth and subsequent safe return to top level cricket.
‘Case Manager’ will be appointed for every player, these facilities will be available
According to this new guidelines issued by ICC, all member cricket boards will have to take the following steps.
A special ‘case manager’ will have to be appointed for each player.
Players will have to be given a flexible environment for training.
Childcare and necessary help during travel will have to be provided.
During the entire period of pregnancy and after the birth of the child, players will have to be ensured access to the best medical and all necessary facilities related to their health. This far-reaching step has been taken amid the rapidly increasing professionalization of women’s cricket, as most of the female players are currently deciding to start families while their sporting careers are still active.
The system was prepared under the leadership of Dr. Philippa Inge
These special guidelines have been prepared by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee. This entire project has been led by Dr. Philippa Inge, the doctor of Australia’s women’s cricket team. The main purpose of these guidelines is to support all member boards in developing pregnancy and return-to-play policies in accordance with their local laws, while prioritizing the well-being and health of players.
‘Six-step model’ of return to sport
At the center of this entire system, a special six-step model has been prepared for the safe return of women players to the game. These six steps are as follows:
Ready
Review
Restore
Recondition
return
refine (make better)
Under this model, a gradual and scientific process has been described from the initial phase of physical recovery after the birth of the child till the return to competitive cricket and even after that, continuous monitoring of the health of the player is done.
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