Rising star Venus W has been awarded the Charlotte Edwards Award for Outstanding Under-16 Schoolgirl Cricketer and selected for the England Women’s Under-19 Preparation Phase winter training squad.
The 15-year-old Lancashire and Thunder Academy leg-spinner, who is a student at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), has had a remarkable season, taking 124 wickets across academy and club cricket — including 33 in the academy phase alone, making her the highest wicket-taker in the country at her level.
Venus grew up surrounded by cricket thanks to her father, former Sri Lankan first-class player AJ Weerappuli, and developed through the MCC Foundation’s Cricket Beyond Boundaries pathway before progressing into the Lancashire talent system.
She collected the Charlotte Edwards Award in London on Thursday evening [6 NOV]. The award is presented annually by The Cricket Society to the most outstanding Under-16 schoolgirl cricketer in England, and is named in honour of former England captain Charlotte Edwards.
Venus said: “It’s been a fantastic season. To receive this award is a huge honour, and then to be selected for the England U19 Preparation Phase squad is amazing. I can’t wait to get started and learn from the coaches there.”
She has already represented Lancashire at U15, U18 and senior women’s levels, and is currently part of the Thunder Academy – the North West’s elite training programme for potential future professional cricketers. Venus added: “The coaching and mentoring I’ve received at Lancashire has made a huge difference to my game — they’ve supported me and helped me to believe in my ability.”
Her England U19 selection follows a rigorous series of national trials and competitive fixtures over the summer, including the Super Fours and matches against Scotland and Ireland. Venus is now one of around 20 players nationally selected for the Preparation Phase squad, who will attend a series of winter training camps at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.
In January 2026, the ECB will select a final squad of around 15 players to travel to Australia for a tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka U19 teams. Some players from the Preparation Phase may also be invited to an additional training camp in India in early 2026.
Venus credits BGS for helping her balance training and matches alongside her Year 10 GCSE studies. “School has been really helpful. My teachers have supported me in keeping on top of work when I’ve been away for training and matches,” she said. “It’s been great to have that support.”
Looking ahead, Venus is focused on continued development. “I want to always do better than last year, strengthen what I already have and get stronger. My goal is to reach the highest level possible.”
BGS Headmaster Dr Simon Hinchliffe said: “Venus’s achievements are extraordinary. To receive the Charlotte Edwards Award and secure a place in the England Under-19 Preparation Phase squad at such a young age speaks volumes about her talent, discipline and character. She is a credit to the school and to the sport, and we are excited to support her as she continues her cricketing journey.”
“School has been really helpful. My teachers have supported me in keeping on top of work when I’ve been away for training and matches,” she said. “It’s been great to have that support.”
“I want to always do better than last year, strengthen what I already have and get stronger. My goal is to reach the highest level possible.”