Kira Chathli, Class of 2017

Kira Chathli (Class of 2017) is a professional cricketer and wicketkeeper batter who made her county debut for Surrey at just 14. A Chemistry graduate from UCL, she now plays for South East Stars and was part of the Oval Invincibles squad that won The Hundred. Passionate about growing the women’s game, Kira continues to balance elite sport with her wider ambitions in education and cricket development.

What are your fondest memories of your time at Trinity School?

Playing football during lunchtimes with my friends in Summer.

When did your passion for cricket first begin, and was there a particular moment or person who inspired you to take the sport seriously?

When I was very young I used to watch my dad play club cricket and started off playing catch with him after his games.

Were there any teachers or coaches at Trinity who played a significant role in supporting your cricketing ambitions?

I think they have all left the school now, but the three sports teachers Mr Schofield, Mr Risebro and Mr Salisbury were hugely encouraging and helped me develop my skills.

You made your county debut for Surrey at just 14 years old—how did you balance school, training, and competitive cricket at such a young age?

I think inevitably school work and cricket were prioritised over socialising and seeing friends, but I definitely made time for everything! Getting to run around a cricket pitch at the weekend in between revising for my A levels, I think, was actually helpful to me as it gave me a much needed physical and mental break.

You went on to study Chemistry at UCL while pursuing a professional cricket career. How did you manage the demands of both academics and sport at such a high level?

Luckily I have signed for a team who accommodates players who want to study at the same time, as they recognise its importance. It is difficult as the travelling between the two is tiring, and it leaves little time for socialising, but if studying is important to you then I definitely think it can be done!

What was it like signing your first professional contract with South East Stars in 2022? Did it feel like a defining moment in your career?

It felt like a huge step in the direction I wanted my career to go in, and it came at the right time for me, just after I finished university. It felt like everything sort of fell into place and that my hard work had been rewarded.

As a wicket-keeper and batter, do you have a preference for one role over the other? And how do you approach the mental and physical demands of both?

I would definitely consider myself more of a batter, but love wicket keeping too. Physically both roles require lots of dynamic and explosive movements but mentally both can also be tough. When you get out onto the pitch, you have to believe in your abilities 100% and know that your team/coaches believe in you too.

You were part of the Oval Invincibles squad that won The Hundred—what was that experience like, and how did it compare to other competitions you’ve played in?

The Hundred drew in a lot bigger crowds than I had previously played in front of, so getting used to that was a challenge in itself. It was a fantastic experience playing with many international players, but winning was the icing on the cake!

Cricket has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. Have you faced any challenges as a female cricketer, and how do you see the game evolving for women in the future?

Playing in boys/mens teams growing up there were a lot of issues such as not having a separate changing room for women and lots of comments on the pitch about being bowled out “by a girl” etc. But it looks like Womens/girls cricket is being taken far more seriously now, with lots more teams around and far more opportunities than previously!

What advice would you give to young girls at Trinity—or anywhere—who aspire to play cricket at a professional level while balancing education and other commitments?

I would say that if you enjoy what you’re doing, cricket, education or otherwise, then you are far more likely to improve! I think being a professional cricketer is a fantastic goal to have, but that education alongside that career is so important too. This could be studying to be a physio, nutritionist or analyst, for example, which would still allow you to be involved in the sport you love.