Hampshire has signed three young talents from the academy who have already made their mark on the field.
Ava Lee, Abi Norgrove and Megan Sturge will join the squad after impressive performances with the Southern Vipers and England Women U19s.
All three made their professional debuts against Sunrisers at Chelmsford in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2023, helping the Southern Vipers achieve a historic double by winning both the 50-over and T20 competitions that year.
Lee, originally from Berkshire, joined the academy for the winter of 2022-23.
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She took 10 wickets in eight matches during her first season with the Vipers, adding a further 11 wickets in 2024, including her best figures of 4-52.
Adam Carty, regional director of Women’s Cricket, said: "In Ava, we have a player of real potential.
"As an off-spinner who generates genuine turn and bounce, and a batter who will undoubtedly develop with opportunity, she has already shown her value to the club as a first XI wicket-taker."
Lee was selected for England U19s in the winter of 2023 and claimed nine wickets in four matches on a tour of Sri Lanka.
Norgrove, from Chipping Norton, joined the academy at the end of 2021 and has become a regular in the Vipers first XI.
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Mr Carty said: "Abi is another Viper Academy graduate who has made her mark in the senior team across the past two summers.
"We are super excited by her potential with the bat, emphasised by her contribution to a competition seasonal record-breaking, and match-winning, fifth wicket batting partnership at Chesterfield this past July."
Norgrove scored 98 runs in the U19s tri-series against Sri Lanka and Australia and was named in England’s U19 World Cup squad for the second edition of the tournament which begins in January 2025.
Megan Sturge, who moved from the Kent pathway at the end of 2022, made her debut for Southern Vipers alongside Norgrove and Lee at Chelmsford in 2023.
Mr Carty said: "In Megan, we have a player of intelligence and real character.
"A three-dimensional cricketer who offers an option with bat, ball, and gloves."
Megan took four catches in 2024, the most of any wicket-keeper in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, standing in for the injured Rhianna Southby.
She is currently in Australia, playing for Manly Warringah CC in grade cricket.
Mr Carty added: "She will be our back-up keeper for 2025 and will pose a selectable option as both a top-order batter and effective leg-spinner, should an opportunity arise."
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