Supported by HP and the HP Foundation, the Rise Premier League brings girls and boys from government schools together as equal teammates, using cricket to build leadership, confidence and life skills beyond the classroom.
Bilaspur: What began as the story of a young girl determined to play cricket despite being told it is ‘not a girl's game’ has now moved from the pages of Kusum's Adventurous Innings comic book to the cricket field. Today marked the launch of the Rise Premier League (RPL), India's first organised mixed-gender cricket league for government school youth, where girls and boys from 12 government schools across Bilha Block took to the field as equal teammates, putting into practice the confidence, teamwork, communication and leadership skills they develop through Girl Rising's RISE curriculum.
Through 30 interactive RISE sessions, teachers integrate social-emotional learning, leadership, gender equality, digital and AI skills, financial literacy, and climate awareness into classroom learning. Following a successful pilot last year, the program is now poised to reach more than 3,800 students across 12 government schools.
Organised by Girl Rising India Foundation, in partnership with the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, and supported by HP and the HP Foundation, the Rise Premier League transforms the cricket field into an extension of the classroom, creating opportunities for youth to apply 21st-century life skills in real-world settings. Unlike conventional cricket leagues, every team was intentionally mixed-gender, with girls and boys batting, bowling, fielding and making decisions as equals, challenging long-held gender stereotypes.
The idea for the Rise Premier League emerged from Kusum's Adventurous Innings, a comic book featured in Girl Rising's RISE curriculum that tells the story of a girl determined to play cricket despite the social norms that tell her the sport is "not for girls." As she navigates expectations that confine her to household chores and caregiving, Kusum challenges the stereotypes that limit her potential, showing girls that they have the right to choose their own futures. Inspired by the story, Girl Rising organised a mixed-gender cricket match on International Day of the Girl in 2025. The overwhelming enthusiasm from students inspired the creation of the annual league.
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