Cricket Ireland has announced that 23 women's central contracts have been offered for 2023, covering full-time, part-time and casual contracts.
That is an increase of three contracted players on 2022, the first year in which female internationals were given professional deals.
For the first time, five players will also receive multi-year contracts: captain Laura Delany, Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast, Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly.
The number of full-time contracted players increases from seven to nine, though some of these players will only become full-time players after completing their studies.
Education contracts are designed to work around players who are at school full-time or studying at a tertiary level. Players on these contracts gain a living allowance to ensure they do not need to find a job during their education years, and can instead concentrate on their cricket. Most of these players will be effectively full-time in the summer holidays.
Casual contracts offer players loss of earnings and match fees, 12-month medical and healthcare insurance, sports science support [strength and conditioning, psychology, performance analysis, nutrition and lifestyle management], specialist coaching support, and for ROI-based players, full access to the Sport Ireland Institute.
Carrie Archer, Women's National Selector, said: "It has been an incredible year for the performance squad, beginning with contract news, followed by impressive on-field performances throughout the year, and culminating in a thrilling appearance at the T20 World Cup. What has been universally acknowledged throughout this journey is that the standards and competitiveness of the squad has come on in leaps and bounds.
"Congratulations to all players receiving contracts for 2023. As a collective, you are blazing a new trail, showing the next generation that they can aspire to a career in cricket in Ireland. The last 12 months has really set a benchmark, so I look forward to seeing what can be achieved over the next 12 months."
Ed Joyce's T20 side became the first Irish team to win a series in the sub-continent when they beat Pakistan 2-1 last November while the reduced overs side also recorded notable wins over South Africa and Australia before finishing tenth at the 2023 T20 World Cup last month.
Full-time contracts (*denotes not full year due to studies)
Laura Delany, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis*, Sophie MacMahon, Cara Murray*, Orla Prendergast*, Rebecca Stokell*, Mary Waldron
Educational/part-time contracts
Ava Canning, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Leah Paul
Casual (match) contracts
Alana Dalzell, Rachel Delaney, Sarah Forbes, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Kate McEvoy, Eimear Richardson, Freya Sargent
