Norma Jean Izard,

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(née Preston; 9 September 1933 – 30 December 2023) was an English cricketer. She is the longest-serving manager, having managed the

England women's cricket team The England women's cricket team represents England and Wales in international women's cricket. Since 1998, they have been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), having been previously governed by the Women's Cricket Associatio ...

from 1984, in 12 international tours, before stepping down in 1993.

Early life

Izard was born in

Beckenham Beckenham () is a town in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. Prior to 1965, it was part of Kent. It is situated north of Elmers End and Eden Park, east of Penge, south of Lower Sydenham and Bellingham, and west ...

, the only child of William and Olive Preston. Her father was a cricketer for Cornwall. She was educated at Beckenham Grammar School, and then attended

Dartford College of Physical Education Dartford is the principal town in the Borough of Dartford, Kent, England. It is located south-east of Central London and is situated adjacent to the London Borough of Bexley to its west. To its north, across the Thames Estuary, is Thurrock in ...

(now part of

University of Greenwich The University of Greenwich is a public university located in London and Kent, United Kingdom. Previous names include Woolwich Polytechnic and Thames Polytechnic. The university's main campus is at the Old Royal Naval College, which along wi ...

Career

At seventeen Izard played for Kent, and the club, Kent Nomads. She then became a teacher of

physical education Physical education is an academic subject taught in schools worldwide, encompassing Primary education, primary, Secondary education, secondary, and sometimes tertiary education. It is often referred to as Phys. Ed. or PE, and in the United Stat ...

. She was the manager of

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, as an honorary life member. She served as the last ever president of the

Women's Cricket Association The Women's Cricket Association (WCA) was responsible for the running of women's cricket in England between 1926 and 1998. It was founded by a group of enthusiasts following a cricket holiday in Malvern. Forty-nine games were arranged in that fir ...

(WCA) from 1994 to 1998, overseeing the eventual merger with the

English Cricket Board The England and Wales Cricket Board, aka ECB, is the national governing body of cricket in England and Wales. It was formed on 1 January 1997 as a single governing body to combine the roles formerly fulfilled by the Test and County Cricket Boa ...

(ECB).

Charity

Izard was a member of the Lady Taverners charity and a trustee of Chance to Shine.

Death

Izard died on 30 December 2023, at the age of 90.

Honours and awards

Izard was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(OBE) for services to women's cricket in the Queen's

1995 Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 1995 were appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as part of the Queen's Of ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Izard, Norma 1933 births 2023 deaths Cricket managers Cricketers from the London Borough of Bromley People from Beckenham English women cricketers Officers of the Order of the British Empire