The University of York Women’s Cricket Club (UYWCC) are raising money to create a permanent memorial for our teammate, Cleo Spittall, at our cricket ground.
About Cleo and Our Club
Cleo Spittall was an integral part of the University of York Women’s Cricket Club. As a tight-knit club, who hold so much love for each other, the passing of Cleo is felt deeply by us all. Since her first year at university, Cleo has been a beloved member and a pivotal part of everyone's experience at the UYWCC. We are all devastated by this tragic loss.
The University of York Women’s Cricket Club is an inclusive and competitive team with 36 members. Throughout the year we play a range of indoor and outdoor competitive and friendly matches against other universities and local teams. Our team has established close friendships on and off the pitch through training, social events and matches.
On the Pitch
On the pitch, Cleo’s personality shone through. She was consistently one of the loudest and most encouraging players and sharing the field with her was an absolute privilege. Cleo was known for her quick reaction times and incredible catching ability. This meant she often found herself in the crucial fielding position of slip. Her exceptional skills led to the nickname ‘Slippy Spitty’. Throughout her time at the club, Cleo represented us in multiple competitive fixtures. Cleo was a star on the field with her incredible dance moves entertaining us all and pushing us through the game.
In her first and second year, Cleo was selected to represent the UYWCC against Lancaster for Roses - the largest inter-university tournament in Europe. She played a vital role in both matches and in her first year helped to secure a record-breaking victory. While on placement in her third year, we were lucky enough for Cleo to travel up to York to support the team on the sidelines with her positivity and excitement.
Cleo as Part of Our Community
In her second year, Cleo undertook the committee position of Social Secretary, alongside her close friend Lily Richardson. Her contagious enthusiasm for the club allowed her to thrive in this role, making lasting memories for us all. She was incredibly creative which shone through with her and Lily’s socials with some of her iconic social themes becoming UYWCC classics. As Social Secretary, she championed inclusivity and created a welcoming environment for first years, reflecting just how much she valued friendship and camaraderie within the club. Some of her most memorable moments include starting the infamous social of egg parents, the esteemed ‘wedding’ of Keona and Laura, as well as pulling off a surprise birthday party for Lily. No social was complete without Cleo’s iconic dance moves - a regular being her Just Dance rendition of Rasputin. We really could speak for hours about all the amazing moments she allowed us to enjoy as a club.
Where the Money Will Go
The proceeds of donations will be put towards memorial purposes, as well as continuing the legacy that she left within the UYWCC. We plan to install a bench in Cleo’s memory on the 22 Acres playing fields around the cricket pitch we play on endlessly in the summer. This will serve as a spot to reminisce on our cherished memories of Cleo, while also recognising her commitment to the sport. We want this bench to be a lasting memory of Cleo, preserving her legacy for future generations of the club.
Any donation, no matter how small, will help us honour Cleo’s memory and ensure she remains part of our club for years to come. If you are able to donate, we would be incredibly grateful for your support.
If you are considering a larger in-memoriam gift, and would like to have a conversation first, please get in touch with Maresa Bailey, Legacy & In-Memory Giving Manager, at maresa.bailey@york.ac.uk.
Find out more about the club
Instagram: @uywcc
