• Wife of the British Ambassador to Cambodia, cricketer and cricket coach Nilma Dole-Williams on how cricket has given purpose to young girls from traumatic violence-ridden backgrounds

She smashed barriers, rewrote the rules, and turned cricket into a force for female empowerment. From Peru’s National Team to coaching in Brighton, England, and now building a cricketing legacy in Cambodia, Nilma Dole-Williams, the dynamic wife of the British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), is an award-winning, trailblazing coach, cricketer, and female empowerment advocate. She was on Kaleidoscope, inspiring us to reach for the stars. 

Following are excerpts of the interview: 

You became the very first British diplomatic spouse to play for an international cricket team. How did that shape you, both personally and diplomatically?

I was actually the first British diplomatic spouse in the world to play for a host country – the country my husband was posted to. At the time, he was the Deputy British Ambassador in Lima, Peru. When I first moved there, it wasn’t easy. I had a five-month-old baby, I had to learn Spanish and I felt quite isolated – homesick for both Sri Lanka and the UK. 

Then, I discovered the Lima Cricket and Football Club, one of the oldest sports Clubs in South America.  I went along just to play and that’s when things changed. They realised that I was Sri Lankan-British and loved cricket and eventually I found myself part of the Peruvian Women’s National Cricket Team. I wasn’t seen as the typical diplomatic spouse and I embraced that. 

Being a Sri Lankan-born woman of colour, I brought that identity into my role as a cricketer and did things my own way.

In Peru, you used cricket as more than just a sport; you used it as a tool for female empowerment. What challenges did you face?

I wouldn’t say that there was direct resistance, especially within the diplomatic community. But culturally, in parts of Latin America, women are often objectified – you see it in advertising and public spaces – and that was difficult, especially as a mother from a more conservative background. 

Cricket became a powerful way to counter that. It helped young girls build confidence, self-esteem, and body positivity. It gave them a voice. In a region where violence against women can be a serious issue, sport created a safe space – a sisterhood. Today, I’m proud to say that the team has evolved into an all-Peruvian girls’ team and they’ve even gained associate membership with the International Cricket Council.

Your team won Bronze at the South American Championships. What did that moment mean to you?

That was incredibly special. I played in two tournaments – Chile in 2015 and Rio, Brazil, in 2016, where we won Bronze. Competing against teams like Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, and then standing on that podium, it meant everything. It wasn’t just about the medal. It was about proving that Latin American women can play cricket, that dreams are possible. It gave us a platform to inspire others and build something from scratch. For me, being part of that journey – and using it as a catalyst for empowerment – was unforgettable.

You were also the first female coach at the Brighton and Hove Cricket Club. What challenges did you face there?

I was the first woman of colour in that role, so yes, there were challenges: racism, sexism, discrimination – they exist everywhere. But, for me, it wasn’t about fighting it outwardly. It was about earning respect through what I could do. 

During Covid, after losing my mother in Sri Lanka, cricket became my way of healing. Coaching gave me purpose. I ran girls-only camps and being someone that they could relate to – especially for girls from mixed or minority backgrounds – made a difference. Representation matters. If they see someone like them doing it, they believe that they can too.

Where did your love for cricket begin?

In 1996; there will never be another year like that. Watching Sri Lanka win the World Cup – it was magical. The team came from humble backgrounds, during a time of war, with limited resources. Yet, they beat the best. That inspired me deeply.

But, growing up, I was told that cricket wasn’t for girls. As a Sri Lankan Malay girl from Canada, there were layers of barriers. But, I kept going. Eventually, I got to play internationally and now I’ve taken that journey from Sri Lanka to the UK to Cambodia – using cricket to inspire others.

You’re now in Cambodia. What cultural bridges did you have to build there?

Cambodia has a deeply traumatic history, especially after the Khmer Rouge era. Many communities are still healing. When I arrived, there were no real barriers, but also no foundation. We had to start from zero. Cricket became more than a sport. It became a way to rebuild confidence and identity. 

Unlike more aggressive sports, cricket offers a space for different skills – batting, bowling, fielding – so, everyone can find their place. Watching girls pick up a bat for the first time, with joy and curiosity, is incredibly powerful.

Have you seen moments where sport truly transformed a girl’s life?

Absolutely. I work near the Thailand-Cambodia border, where families in camps are dealing with conflict and displacement. In those environments, girls often fall behind; they’re expected to do household work while boys have more freedom. 

Bringing cricket into those spaces changed that dynamic. It gave girls a chance to step forward, to play, and to lead. It helped address mental health struggles, break down gender norms, and build confidence. Seeing that transformation – how sport can shift mindsets – is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

How has being a diplomatic spouse shaped your journey?

My husband has been my biggest supporter. He encouraged me to pursue sport, even taking time off to care for our children while I travelled for tournaments. The Foreign Office has also been incredibly supportive, even funding my coaching qualifications. Yes, I broke a glass ceiling, but I hope I’m not the last. Being a diplomatic spouse doesn’t mean that you lose your identity. You can still pursue your passions, advocate for change, and make an impact.

How do you consciously create role models for the girls you work with?

Growing up, there weren’t many role models. Maybe Susanthika Jayasinghe – but not enough, and not with the support that they deserved. Today, we’re seeing incredible athletes like Chamari Athapaththu, and that visibility matters. I don’t see myself as a role model; I see myself as someone who opens doors. If my story inspires even one girl to step forward, that’s enough.

How do you define success?

Honestly, I don’t spend time measuring it. I’m too busy doing the work. For me, success is seeing girls thrive – in Cambodia, in the UK, in Sri Lanka. It’s not about medals or titles. It’s about kindness, compassion and helping others become the best version of themselves. That’s what really matters.

What’s your boldest dream for women and women’s cricket?

Overall, I would really love to see more women playing cricket, not just casually, but professionally, competitively, and with the same level of recognition and respect as men. Along with that, more sponsorships are so important.

 The talent and passion are there, but, without the right investment and visibility, it becomes very difficult for women to sustain a career in sport. I also hope that in countries like Sri Lanka, we see more structured support, more opportunities and even more celebration of women’s cricket, especially around moments like the Women’s Day, where visibility can inspire the next generation. 

Cambodia, where I’m currently based, is such an inspiring country. Historically, it was once ruled by queens, which is incredible. But, in modern times, after colonialism and independence, they haven’t had a female Prime Minister or a female Head of State. That’s something that really stays with me. So, one of my biggest dreams – beyond cricket – is to see, within my lifetime, a female Premier in Cambodia. I truly believe that sport can play a role in that journey. 

Cricket, like many sports, brings together girls from completely different backgrounds – different social classes, different communities – and teaches them how to work as a team. It builds confidence, resilience, and leadership. When you’ve played sport, you learn how to make decisions, how to handle pressure, and how to lead, and those are qualities that go far beyond the field. 

At the same time, I’m very realistic. People will doubt you. People will bring you down. They’ll question your choices, your abilities, and your dreams. I’ve faced that myself; it was never an easy path. There were so many moments where it would have been easier to just stop. But I didn’t. And that’s what I always tell young girls: don’t give up. Do the best you can with what you have, believe in yourself, and keep going. Because life is unpredictable in the most beautiful way. 

You might be 30 years old, with a five-month-old baby, thinking your sporting days are behind you, and suddenly, you find yourself playing international cricket. That was my reality. 

So, my message, and my dream, is simple: more women stepping forward, more women being supported, more women leading – on and off the field. Because dreams are possible. I’ve lived that. And I truly believe that so many more women can too.

The writer is the host, director, and co-producer of the weekly digital programme ‘Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo’ which can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. She has over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and social media

--------

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication