From 4–7 September, the Portuguese Women’s National Cricket Team will travel to Prague, for an international tournament that will allow them to secure Portugal’s first-ever official ICC Women’s T20I ranking.
The squad brings together players across a diverse range of age groups, notably featuring three 15-year-olds making their senior international debuts. All three hold Portuguese nationality and first met playing junior cricket together at Primrose Hill Cricket Club in London:
- Isabel Lemos Walker; Middlesex CCC Under 15 and North Hill Women’s 1st XI, whose family has a house in Lagos and frequently visits the Algarve.
- Matilda James; North Hill Women’s 1st XI and Middlesex CCC Under 15
- Ana Faria; Primrose Hill Cricket Club.
Despite representing their country on the international stage, cricket remains an emerging sport in Portugal, meaning the players must self-fund the vast majority of their travel, accommodation, and tournament expenses.
To get to Prague and earn their ICC ranking, the squad is rallying community support:
- Crowdfunding: Backing player expenses and tournament logistics via their fundraising campaign: GoFundMe/Donation Link
- Sponsorship: Partnering with brands and businesses eager to support women’s sport at the grassroots level.
- Community: Following and sharing their journey on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/wcricketpt/
https://www.cricketportugal.com
With women's sport gaining tremendous momentum across Europe, Portugal’s journey—spanning the Algarve, London, and Prague—is a classic underdog story of dedication, cross-border heritage, and grassroots ambition.
