Lauren Filer will make history when she becomes the first female from Weston-super-Mare CC to appear for England in their Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge later today.
With the club just two years short of their 180th anniversary, there have been no other international women cricketers in the club’s history.
But at the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club that will all change as Filer walks out alongside her teammates in what will be a historic moment for both the cricket club and Town of Weston-super-Mare itself.
Weston-super-Mare has come into the forefront in recent years with Ollie Watkins, who spent time on loan with Weston-super-Mare AFC in the 2014-15 season, being called up to represent England in 2021
Other notable sports personalities from the town include current Manchester City Women’s manager Gareth Taylor and two-capped England international Curtis Langdon, who is currently with Northampton Saints.
But Filer can be considered as, arguably, one of the best sporting talents to have come from the town, a long way from first joining Weston-super-Mare CC as a 10-year-old 12 years ago.
“Whilst this achievement is Lauren’s, and Lauren and her family have put so much into this, they’ll also be numerous coaches, youth and senior cricket leaders, teammates and members who have contributed to Lauren’s development over the last 10 plus years and as a club," captain Chris Davidson says.
"I know how much Lauren has appreciated the club and the people, and I hope everyone who has played a part is also celebrating the call-up and we can all get together at the club and enjoy watching together. I’m sure they’ll be many members travelling to Nottingham too."
Alongside playing cricket for Weston, Filler would play for Somerset, with her twin sister Jodie, and the pair both played football for Hutton with Lauren, at one stage, on trial with Bristol City.
But it would always be cricket, and as Filer continued to blossom she went to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University and played for the illustrious Cardiff South Wales MCC, one of six University Centres of Cricketing Excellence supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Filer had also played for the Welsh Fire in The Hundred and was named in the Western Storm squad, where she signed her first professional contract at the end of last year.
“Both Lauren and her twin sister Jodie are talented cricketers and from an early age played in teams that reflected that, including senior league cricket from a young age, which shows the talent, having played for Somerset it was only a matter of time that if Lauren continued her development then higher honours could come,” Chairman Jon Mayo said.
“We’ve all followed Lauren through Somerset, regional Western Storm cricket and playing in the Hundred with pride and excitement about where the journey could go.”
The journey has added another chapter with the call-up to the England squad for the first time recently following her impressive form to the season.
The 22-year-old right-arm pace bowler made her bow for England A's in their draw with Australia A at the Incora County Ground, Derby recently.
At Western Storm Filer has taken eight wickets in four Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy games this summer and five in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
But it at Weston-super-Mare CC where Filer is greatly looked up to and revered.
Whenever she can, Filer is either at the club helping young players or behind the bar serving out drinks and giving out food, while her Weston Storm shirt hangs proudly in the corner inside the clubhouse.
“Lauren hasn’t changed a bit in her journey through our youth section to where she is now,” says Davidson.
“She’s still the same chatty, smiley, dedicated club person she’s always been and is very popular within the club, as are the whole family.
"We’re already proudly displaying Lauren’s shirts in the clubhouse and it looks like we’ll need to make room for another one!”
Mayo said her role of playing for Weston-super-Mare CC will serve as an inspiration for the future generation and that people from the club can follow in her "amazing example" and go on to bigger and better things.
“Lauren sets an amazing example of what playing cricket at Weston can achieve, for both boys and girls,” he said.
“We have several players male and female in the Somerset pathway and have high hopes that more can realise their full potential and who knows follow in her path one day."
Davidson agrees.
"Having an Ashes cricketer in our ranks, who is so approachable and will no doubt be back at the club volunteering and supporting soon, is something that will really inspire the young cricketers at the club," he added.
“Particularly our improving girls and ladies section, as well as all those who contribute behind the scenes to enable Lauren and all our members the opportunity to develop and succeed.
“It’s a great day for Lauren, most importantly, and everyone associated with Weston-super-Mare CC.”
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