After celebrating a decade-long partnership between the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) and Cricket Without Borders (CWOB), it was only fitting to welcome another member to Japan. This year, we were thrilled to host Vivien Field, marking the seventh CWOB placement with the JCA.

Vivien previously toured Malaysia with CWOB, where she shared the field with two Japanese National Women’s Team players, Elena Kusuda-Nairn and Meg Ogawa.

During her time in Japan, Vivien made an impact across multiple events, including supporting the first-ever Junior Female Tournament, a milestone for women’s cricket in the country. The tournament also featured fellow CWOB players Jemima Cartin and Abby Collihole, along with their manager, Marcella Torre; a sincere thanks to Ken Jacobs for his support in preparing Vivien’s placement, and for sending two talented players and a dedicated manager to participate in the Junior Female Tournament, helping make the event truly special.

In addition to her off-field contributions, Vivien also showcased her skills on the pitch, receiving an invitation to compete in the Women’s Japan Premier League (WJPL) – 3rd Edition, where a previous CWOB placement, Chelsea Moscript, was also a part of.

Reflecting on her experience, Vivien shared:

“I had an incredible time and I think the experience definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, and really showed that it pays to say yes and do things which are a bit scary! I’m so glad and grateful for the placement and I know I will always have super cool memories from the trip.”

Vivien’s placement exemplifies the strong bond between CWOB and the JCA, and highlights the opportunities that arise when cricket brings people and cultures together. Her journey adds another inspiring chapter to our shared mission of growing women’s cricket across borders.