Sheila Hill, MBE

Gunnersbury women are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sheila Hill, MBE.

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Sheila is one of the main reasons that Gunns is still such a flourishing club after nearly a century of participation in women's cricket.

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An MCC Honorary Life Member, Sheila Hill was appointed MBE for her services to cricket in 2011.

She was nominated for her tireless work on the Laws of Cricket as well as in developing the women’s game.

Sheila played a major role in developing the junior women’s game at club and county level and was deeply involved with the Women’s Southern Cricket League since its inception.

She also umpired the first Women’s World Cup Final in 1973 when England defeated Australia by 92 runs under the captaincy of Rachael Heyhoe-Flint.

A former Oxford University, Kent and East of England player, Sheila Hill was one of the first ten women to be elected to Membership of MCC in 1999.  After that, Sheila become an influential figure on the MCC Laws sub-committee and was the driving force behind the 2010 re-draft of the Laws.

In 2011 on the appointment of the MBE, then President of MCC, Christopher Martin-Jenkins, said :

“I am delighted personally and on behalf of the Club that Sheila Hill’s outstanding contribution to cricket – women’s cricket and the Laws of Cricket – has been recognised by this national honour.

“Sheila has been a mainstay in the MCC Laws sub-committee for many years, and her work in relation to drafting the Laws cannot be overstated."

 

In her later years, Sheila not only administratively ran Gunnersbury WCC but also helped to nurture upcoming county and international players.

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We give thanks for everything Sheila has done for the latter Gunns generations. This season will be dedicated to the memory of Sheila Hill. The cricket gods have claimed a good one.

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From the archives:

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• BBC News - World Service article on Sheila Hill - "...first female to umpire a Women's Cricket World Cup... the first to umpire a World Cup in the sport altogether in 1973."   Link

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• MCC Cricket News article - Sheila Hill appointed MBE in New Year's Honours list (2011)   Link

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• Women's Cricket History web site - portrait of Sheila Hill, umpire and scorer   Link

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• ESPN cricinfo website - Sheila Hill stats Link