Norma Izard
{{Short description|English cricketer and manager (1933–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Norma Jean Izard, OBE (née Preston; 9 September 1933 – 30 December 2023) was an English cricketer.{{cite web |url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1123996/let-there-be-ashes |title=Let there be Ashes |website=thecricketmonthly.com |publisher=The Cricket Monthly |access-date=2018-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151617/http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1123996/let-there-be-ashes# |archive-date=2018-10-28 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1999/mar/17/cricket1 |title=MCC women join the men after 200 years |website=The Guardian |date=17 March 1999 |access-date=2018-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151626/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1999/mar/17/cricket1# |archive-date=2018-10-28 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/297853.stm |title=UK MCC delivers first 10 maidens |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |access-date=2018-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708194141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/297853.stm# |archive-date=2018-07-08 |url-status=live }} She is the longest-serving manager, having managed the England women's cricket team from 1984, in 12 international tours, before stepping down in 1993.
Early life
Izard was born in Beckenham, the only child of William and Olive Preston.{{cite web |author1=Raf Nicholson |title=Norma Izard obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/17/norma-izard-obituary |website=The Guardian |access-date=7 April 2024 |date=17 January 2024}} Her father was a cricketer for Cornwall.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/19715280/raf-nicholson-meets-norma-izard-no-nonsense-matriarch-england-women-evolution|title=The no-nonsense matriarch of England women's evolution|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2018-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028191703/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/19715280/raf-nicholson-meets-norma-izard-no-nonsense-matriarch-england-women-evolution#|archive-date=2018-10-28|url-status=live}} She was educated at Beckenham Grammar School, and then attended Dartford College of Physical Education (now part of University of Greenwich).
Career
At seventeen Izard played for Kent, and the club, Kent Nomads. She then became a teacher of physical education. She was the manager of England women's cricket team between 1984 and 1993. Izard is the longest-serving senior England cricket manager, managing 12 international tours before stepping down, after England won the 1993 World Cup.
Izard was one of the first ten women admitted to the MCC in 1999,{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/297853.stm|title=MCC delivers first 10 maidens|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040719162158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/297853.stm#|archive-date=2004-07-19|url-status=live}} as an honorary life member. She served as the last ever president of the Women's Cricket Association (WCA) from 1994 to 1998, overseeing the eventual merger with the English Cricket Board (ECB).
Charity
Izard was a member of the Lady Taverners charity and a trustee of Chance to Shine.
Death
Honours and awards
Izard was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to women's cricket in the Queen's 1995 Birthday Honours.{{Cite journal|date=16 June 1995|title=The United Kingdom|journal=The London Gazette|volume=1st supplement|pages= 1–32}}