In the ever-evolving landscape of women’s sports, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s opportunity to undergo fertility treatment is a testament to the growing understanding and support from employers, as well as the increasing financial rewards available. Purchased for a staggering £320,000 by the Mumbai Indians in the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, Sciver-Brunt has become one of the highest-paid female athletes in the UK.
Balancing Career and Personal Decisions
Earlier this year, when England’s tour of New Zealand coincided with the end of the WPL, Sciver-Brunt acknowledged that money played a significant role in her decision to remain in India. While the “wheels were in motion” for her expensive egg-freezing procedure, she recognizes that such a decision would have required substantial financial planning in the not-so-distant past.
Sciver-Brunt, who was once a landlord in Loughborough alongside fellow England team-mates Amy Jones, Fran Wilson, and Beth Langston, can recall the challenges they faced when applying for mortgages due to the one-year contracts that international players had at the time. The increasing clash between franchise leagues and international cricket, exemplified by the upcoming scheduling of the Women’s Big Bash in Australia, is set to become more commonplace. While England are yet to reveal their plans to navigate these overlaps, Sciver-Brunt, who played for the Perth Scorchers last season, has decided that the Big Bash is not a priority for her in 2024.
A Changing Landscape for Women’s Sport
The opportunities afforded to female athletes like Nat Sciver-Brunt, both in terms of financial stability and the understanding of their employers, are shaping the ever-evolving landscape of women’s sport. The ability to pursue fertility treatment and other personal goals while maintaining a successful professional career is a testament to the progress being made in this dynamic and rapidly changing field.
“The increasing clash between franchise leagues and international cricket, exemplified by the upcoming scheduling of the Women’s Big Bash in Australia, is set to become more commonplace.”
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