Watching England women play at Lord’s forged what would become Tara’s lifelong dream: to play professional cricket on that very same turf. But it was a Chance to Shine visit to her school which turned that dream into something real.
Tara moved to the UK from Spain aged eight and took some time to settle into her new surroundings, until Chance to Shine delivered a series of sessions at her primary school.
She was instantly hooked. “I still remember the Chance to Shine coach who took me under his wing. I fell in love with cricket straight away.”
Quickly, her talent became apparent; joining a traditional club, Horsham Cricket Club, in West Sussex, was the obvious next step. “I was super quiet and scared to use my voice as a child, but being around cricket and that environment helped me flourish.”
“I love being in a team, I love being around my mates, playing cricket with them, being in the field with them. It became a real community for me, and I’ve continued those friendships 10 years on.”
After successful trials with Sussex, Tara worked through the talent pathway, dedicating herself to the craft of left arm seam bowling. Opportunities with the England under 19s followed, before her dream was realised in 2020.
“The week I handed in my dissertation, I got a phone call being offered my first professional contract. When I was a kid, I never thought it would be possible.”
Now, she hopes the next generation have a few more women to look up to on the professional scene. “Sarah Taylor was my role model, and thankfully now there’s more professional cricketers and more role models for young girls to aspire to as the sport grows.”
Born in Philadelphia, a successful international career with Team USA has followed.
“I feel like I’ve already reached the goal of 12-year-old Tara, so anything else has come as a huge bonus.
“Even now it gives me goosebumps, it was a dream of mine as a kid, so it feels really special.”
Domestically, Tara’s become a key member of a Lancashire side who won the T20 Women’s County Cup and One Day Cup in 2025, winning their T20 Player of the Year Award, that season.
She is also a regular for London Spirit in The Hundred – playing at the Home of Cricket, just as she once imagined.
