A UNESCO Creative City of Literature since 2014, Dunedin (New Zealand), hosted for the first time the International Cricket Council Women’s Cricket World Cup, from 4 March to 3 April 2022. This sporting tournament coincided with International Women’s Day (8 March), making it a perfect occasion to promote gender equality and women empowerment, as well as to enrich creatively Dunedin’s literary scene.

On this occasion, a commissioned poem, written by local poet Ruth Arnison, along with an early 20^th century photograph of the Dunedin Ladies’ Cricket Club, was printed on decals then displayed across the city, in venues and public facilities. The motivational and cheerful literary tribute to sportswomen both highlights Dunedin’s commitment as a Creative City of Literature and honors the city’s long and proud tradition of women’s cricket.

We’re players with passion in ODI fashion,

we’re gutsy ‘n gritty, determined, controlled.

We’re champions from great nations; we’re cricket sensations,

we’re audacious, we’re gracious, sagacious ‘n bold.

We’re keepers with speed, accuracy and precision,

there’ll be no hanging around for an upstairs decision.

We’re catchers, we’re runners, we’re bowlers ‘n batters,

we’re slick at cricket and that’s all that matters.

Through the association of sport and culture towards women empowerment, Dunedin demonstrates how Creative Cities address the Sustainable Development Goals in simple however effective ways, and notably Goal 5 on gender equality.