Grange hails late Dorothy Hobson as 'trailblazer' in women’s cricket

Sports Minister Olivia Grange has hailed the late Dorothy Hobson as a pioneering force who “helped to shape generations of women athletes and administrators" in cricket in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

The former Jamaican cricketer and administrator died on Saturday.

"Hobson was a trailblazer in women’s cricket. She distinguished herself as a player, captain, coach, selector, and administrator making an enduring contribution to the sport locally, regionally, and internationally," Grange said in a statement on Saturday. "Her life’s work helped to shape generations of women athletes and administrators and laid critical foundations for the growth of women’s sport in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean."

Hobson was a member of the first-ever West Indies women’s cricket team and played in the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Later, she became coach of the West Indies women’s team at the 1993 Women’s Cricket World Cup, and chief selector of the regional side.

Grange said Hobson created history in 2013 when she became the first woman to coach the Melbourne Cricket Club’s training camp in Jamaica. She said this "was considered a significant step in a traditionally male-dominated setup, adding to her credentials as a pioneering figure for the club, breaking ground for both women coaches and campers".

Hobson also played a "pivotal role" in the relaunch of the Jamaica Women’s Cricket League in 2015, revitalising a competition that had been dormant for several years, the minister added.

"Hobson’s impact was also felt through her contribution to the development of other sports, including netball, where she supported community and developmental initiatives that strengthened participation and leadership among women and girls," added Grange.

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