Cricket Ireland welcomes Stella Downes (Cricket Ireland President) as its new president, following her appointment at the recent Cricket Ireland Annual General Meeting. Downes, known for her deep love for the sport – a passion instilled by her late father – brings over 25 years of experience to the role.
A pivotal figure for Clontarf Cricket Club and Irish cricket as a whole, Downes has donned various hats throughout her journey. From scorer and cricket scorer educator to club secretary, player, child protection officer, and holding various administrative positions within the Ireland Men’s National Team, her experience is truly diverse.
Downes’ impressive record includes scoring over 200 international and inter-provincial matches, alongside countless club games. She has been instrumental in promoting cricket officiating through scorer education and actively contributed to sports administration, serving on multiple competition and management committees.
First Female President of Cricket Leinster in 2020-21, Downes continues to break barriers as Cricket Ireland’s second female president. Reflecting on her path, she expresses gratitude for her father’s influence and the welcoming environment she found at Clontarf Cricket Club. She fondly remembers transitioning from player to scorer and taking on various leadership roles within the club and the broader cricket community.
Looking ahead, Downes, a champion for women in cricket leadership, is eager to support both the Men’s Cricket World Cup and Women’s Cricket World Cup teams. She is also enthusiastic about engaging with cricket youth development initiatives planned for the season and fostering connections with cricket enthusiasts nationwide.
For Downes, cricket embodies a unique camaraderie and community spirit, from the intensity of international matches to the joyous energy of youth games. As she embarks on this exciting new chapter as Cricket Ireland President, she eagerly anticipates contributing to the sport she holds so dear.
