From Harrogate to Ajman, then the world: Katie Thompson is living the dream after UAE call up

Left-arm spinner is part of the national team for the first time ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup regional qualifier in Thailand

Katie Thompson during a UAE women's team training ahead of the T20 World Cup Asia qualifier. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Up until four years ago, Katie Thompson had never been on a plane. The first flight she took brought her from the UK’s northwest to the unlikely destination of Ajman.

Now she could soon become a globe-trotting international cricketer, having been called up to the UAE women’s team for the first time.

Currently she is in Thailand, where the national team are finalising their preparations for the Asian regional qualifier for the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The top two sides in the nine-team tournament will advance to the global qualifier at the start of next year. The top sides in that would in turn make it to the main event, to be staged in England next year – which is where Thompson started out her journey.

“I am super excited,” Thompson, 28, said ahead of her first tour with the national team.

“It is every child’s aspiration to represent their country at something. I am so close to doing it, and I really hope I get the opportunity.

“Just getting the kit – the huge bag of kit, I put everything on. The jumpers, hats, everything. Every time I put the kit on at home, I just feel so proud.

Katie Thompson trains with the UAE women's team at the ICC Academy in Dubai ahead of their T20 World Cup Asia qualifier. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Katie Thompson, right, is the second English-born player to represent UAE in women's cricket

Katie Thompson arrived in the UAE in 2021 and will now be a part of the national team in the T20 World Cup Asia qualifier

Heena Hotchandani during training ahead of the T20 World Cup Asia qualifier

Al Maseera Jahangir at the ICC Academy in Dubai

Michelle Botha. UAE women's team training ahead of the T20 World Cup Asia qualifier. ICC Academy. Sports City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Katie Thompson and Michelle Botha, right, during training

UAE coach Ahmed Raza oversees training in Dubai

UAE women's team captain Esha Oza at the ICC Academy

“I feel proud because it is the case that: I made it. I have been working really hard, like everyone has, and now I am hoping to get that extra step and get onto the international stage. It might sound like a cliche, but to make my debut would be a dream come true.”

Thompson, who has debuted for the UAE team in their warm-up matches against China and Kuwait, is the second English-born player to represent the country at cricket.

Mahika Gaur, the first, is now back in England where she represents the country of her birth.

Thompson arrived in the Emirates in August 2021 when she took up a job as a PE teacher at Victoria English School in Sharjah.

It was a step into the unknown for someone who had lived all her life till that point in Harrogate in Yorkshire, which was the county she represented in cricket.

“It was Covid, all the rules were in place and my brother had just moved out of our family house,” she said.

“We had grown up being best friends. It wasn’t a lonely time as I love my mum and dad to bits, but with all the rules in place, I thought to myself, ‘Let’s see what’s out there. Let’s have an adventure.’

“I started looking at international job websites and I thought, ‘Why not apply?’ The next thing I know, I’m having an interview, accepting the job in February 2021. Then in August, I am on my first ever flight – my first time on a plane – out here to the UAE.”

She had been abroad to France before, by ferry, but Ajman – where she has lived for the four years since – in August was a significantly different experience.

“It was a big change,” she said. “I was apprehensive and excited. There were a few of us moving out at the same time, so we made a WhatsApp group, and I asked if anyone was flying from [Manchester].

“I flew out with a maths teacher and it was also his first time on a plane. We were both sat there, really excited.”

Katie Thompson bowls in the nets at the ICC Academy at Dubai Sports City. Chris Whiteoak / The National

One of the unknowns facing her was whether she would ever play cricket again. She did not know if there was a cricket scene for women in the UAE, and was focused on her job, anyway.

Unbeknown to her, her dad had contacted Darjeeling, the oldest club side in Dubai, to see if they could accommodate her.

They were more than happy to enlist her for their side. It was an opportune arrangement: during one match she played for Darjeeling at the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City, she was spotted by the UAE national team.

“I was playing a game for Darjeeling, and the girls were netting,” she said.

“Someone looked over and noticed they had a woman playing. We finished the game, then one of the coaches stopped me and asked how long I have been here, and wanted to know about the residency and whether I would qualify to play.

“They took my number, then I did my first training session here in November, and it has developed from there. Once I started becoming more involved, I realised this is something I would love to be a part of.”

Now she is part of the tour party for the first time, in a side who are thriving. This weekend it was confirmed the UAE women’s team will have one-day international status, on the basis of the continued progress they have made in the T20 format.

They came close to qualification for the last T20 World Cup. If they can achieve it this time around, it would make for a poignant trip home for Thompson.

“They have been telling everyone,” she said. “Mum has been telling all her work colleagues in the office, and dad as well. All my family have been nothing but supportive.

“The dream for us girls is to get to the World Cup, which is England next year. If everything works out, then hopefully my mum and dad can come and see me play.

“I’m where I am now because of the help of them; driving me training, taking days off work to drive me to games, getting me the kit, paying for memberships.

“It would mean the world to be able to give this back to them, either watching me on TV, or watching me in person wearing the UAE kit.”