HOWZAT for a support network!

This week we’re talking all things support network..

Because honestly- I couldn’t get through a season without mine!

I’ve just hit double-header season. For me, that can mean cricket every Saturday-Sunday now until September, because Tyler’s team do pretty well! He plays every Saturday in the league, and as we all know: the more cup wins, the more Sundays disappear into cricket oblivion.

 This is when the term ‘Cricket Widow’ really comes into full force. No, I’m not single- my partner is a cricketer which means I rarely see him from April to September. And that’s that.

It’s tough. If you don’t have a support network, or learn to be confident doing things solo, it can be a very lonely place.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.

And let’s be real, mental health is huge in sport. But what’s never spoken about? The mental load on the other halves of sport. That’s already a sign of how strong we are- we’re silently carrying all this without ever asking for it to be acknowledged.

Mental health in sport… where do you even start?

The highs, the lows, the constant picking yourself up to go again. Being dropped, chasing success, dealing with random fame, online critics, performance pressure… it’s a lot. Sport can be brutal.

 But here’s the flip side: I genuinely think sport is also one of the best things for your mental health. The team spirit, fresh air, fun and friendships- it’s like a weekly reset button. It gets your head out of life’s stresses, even if just for an hour.

 For men especially, the cricket club is a place of belonging. And that camaraderie? Unmatched.

We were at the Birmingham Bears T20 Blast Launch Party this week- such a fun night at Sixes in Birmingham (what a cool place). The sun was shining, the vibes were vibing, and we had a blast chatting to some of the Bears players, listening to live music and, of course, getting in the nets.

My cricket technique? Classic post-drinks performance. Nailed the leave, fluked a few 4s, and enthusiastically clapped everyone through their overs like the professional CW I am. 

During the night, we listened to a Q&A with some of the Bears players. And while they spoke, I found myself wondering: what would I say if I was up there, giving the CW side of cricket life? I think I’d be public enemy number one in a room full of cricket badgers.

Not because I hate cricket (I don’t!), but because nobody ever sees the other side. They don’t see the emotional load of being the support network. The quiet acceptance that your partner will be gone all day, every weekend. That they’ll come home grumpy after a loss, and you’ve waited all day just to see them… and now you’re getting monosyllables and mood swings. Mood kill? Slightly.

You become the one keeping them going after a bad day, even if a small part of you thinks: “If they just gave it all up, I’d actually get to spend weekends with them..”

You're packing lunches. Washing whites. Cooking dinner. Picking them up from the club late so they can have a pint with the lads. And you’re doing all of that while quietly thinking: this is actually a bit crap for me.

We’re not asking for medals- just a bit of acknowledgment that we’re running the background operation.. while trying to have our life too! 

Enter: The Support Network.

Your squad. The ride-or-dies. The ones who might not ‘get it’ the way us CW’s do, but they get you!

They’re the friends who text: “Got plans this Saturday? No? Let’s do something.”

They’re the ones who drop everything if you’re feeling off. The ones who don’t ask questions- just show up. These people mean more than they’ll ever know.

Mine is my mum, dad, sister and yes, Yeks the dog! I still live at home, and honestly, I’m not even looking to move out. I love it. I’m not ready to be in a house on my own every weekend. Tyler gets that.

Right now, with the way everything is, I’m happy. I often sit there and think, “If I wasn’t here with Mum and Dad, I’d be in an empty house eating egg on toast alone in front of the TV,” and honestly… that’s not the vibe for me! Egg on toast yes but solo no thankyou! 

I think the sunshine has been a total game-changer this year. 

I’ve actually found myself wanting to go to matches most weekends- whether that’s for the cricket or the tan, I’m not sure haha. But the good vibes have definitely hit different compared to sitting under a brolly watching the covers go on and off all day. So, cricket-wise, 2025 season? Best one yet! If you can throw yourself into the season and club life, do it- you’ll feel like such a big part of something. But if you're not quite there (or some days just feel a bit off), I’m also here to remind you- you’re absolutely not alone.

If you’re struggling this season and don’t feel like you have your support network- talk to someone. Start with your closest people. Tell them how you’re feeling. The chances are, your network is already there.. they just don’t know you need a bit more from them.

It’s not always easy to start that convo, but you will feel so much better for it.

And if you don’t feel like you can tell them? Tell me. Message me. That’s why I started this page in the first place- because I didn’t want anyone to feel like they were going through CW life alone.

And finally.. a lighter note to end on.

At the Bears event, someone asked, “So no couples therapy yet then?” And honestly… I think we’ll never need couples therapy- because we never see each other long enough to argue about anything other than cricket! 

#thecricketwidowclub #cricketwidow #cricketlife #livstylelifestyle