Captain Lauren Parfitt is the first player to be given a professional contract by Glamorgan Women as they prepare to move up to Tier 1 in 2027.Parfitt led the Wales side from the age of 18 and represented the Western Storm regional team, before skippering the newly created Glamorgan team in 2025 and 2026.AdvertisementThe 32-year-old will take a sabbatical from her job as a PE teacher and head of year at Bassaleg School in Newport to focus on her Glamorgan role.Glamorgan won the League Two T20 Blast title this summer and have reached the semi-final of the One Day Cup, where they will host Kent on Sunday, 13 September.Parfitt has led from the front as opening bat and leading run-scorer for the county side."The 11-year-old me dreamt of becoming a professional cricketer when I never thought it would be an option, so to now have the opportunity is an incredible feeling," said Parfitt.Captain Parfitt proud after Glamorgan T20 triumph"It is a privilege to play for Glamorgan as it enters a professional era, as it's a team that feels like home.Advertisement"We've built a really strong foundation and I am excited for the challenge of Tier 1 cricket alongside what is shaping up to be a fantastic group."Aimee Rees, Glamorgan's head of women's and girls' cricket, added: " This is a landmark moment for women's cricket at Glamorgan, and a hugely significant step forward in the professionalisation of the game in Wales."Parfiitt is likely to be joined by leading performers from the current Glamorgan squad, together with a number of signings from the current professional sides in Tier 1.Glamorgan have regularly fielded the maximum of three loan players per game in a bid to identify suitable talent for their first season in the top flight.
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