da dobrowin： The MCC has voted to allow women members for the first time in its 211-year history
05-Feb-2008The MCC has voted to allow women members for the first time in its 211-year history – 69.8% were in favour of the decision, just enough to meet the two thirds majority needed to change therules. In favour: 69.8% (9,394 votes) Against: 30.2% (4,072 votes) 13,482 of the 17,250 members voted, 16 spoiled ballot papers.Vice-captain of the England women’s team, Barbera Daniels, was “highly-delighted”, saying; “we all now carry on, and get on with promoting the game.”Despite many recent controversial changes in cricket, includingthe introduction of coloured clothing and third umpires, the MCChas up to now remained an exclusively male club and has beenregarded by some as ‘out of touch’. A vote in January on theissue produced 56% of members wanting to allow women to join -but not the two thirds majority required.The lack of female members was one of five major reasons the MCCwas recently denied a lottery grant to assist in the constructionof new buildings at Lord’s. The proposals distributed to membersduring August suggested that up to 70 women should be allowed tobecome playing members of the club within the next two years, withthe waiting list unaffected. It was also proposed to reserve oneof the bars in the pavillion for men only.Currently there are nearly 18,000 members and a waiting list tojoin the club of around 18 years. However the Committee has theright to appoint honourary and honourary life members. Those whoplay 10 games of cricket for MCC have their waiting time reducedto two years.