Falcons Women duo named in Blaze Academy

Derbyshire Falcons Women duo, Lara Shaw and Maria Andrews, have been named in The Blaze Academy squad for the 2026 season. 

Shaw, 21, continues with The Blaze after an impressive season for the Falcons, scoring three half-centuries and being named Batter of the Year at the Club’s end of season awards, while Andrews, 18, became the first Falcons Women player to claim a Vitality Blast five-wicket haul when she guided the side to an impressive win over Northants Steelbacks in June.

Both players came through the Derbyshire Women & Girls Pathway system and have continued their development with The Blaze Aacademy while playing for the Falcons in Tier Two.

Mim Aldred, who was a part of the Derbyshire Women & Girls Pathway from under 15s to under 18s, has also been named in the squad after impressing for Oxfordshire.