Betty Archdale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Betty Archdale

Personal information
Full name	Helen Elizabeth Archdale
Born	(1907-08-21)21 August 1907 Paddington, London, England
Died	1 January 2000(2000-01-01) (aged 92) Killara, New South Wales, Australia
Nickname	Betty
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Batter
Relations	Helen Archdale (mother) Alexander Archdale (brother)
International information
National side	England (1934–1937)
Test debut (cap 1)	28 December 1934 v Australia
Last Test	13 July 1937 v Australia
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1937	Kent
Career statistics
Competition WTest WFC Matches 5 13 Runs scored 133 266 Batting average 26.60 15.64 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 Top score 32* 32* Catches/stumpings 1/– 2/–
Source: CricketArchive, 12 March 2021

Betty Archdale (born August 21, 1907 – died January 11, 2000) was an amazing English-Australian sportswoman and a leader in education. She was the very first captain of the England women's cricket team in Test matches, starting in 1934. She was also a trained lawyer (called a barrister) and served in the navy during World War II. After the war, she moved to Australia in 1946 to become the head of The Women's College at the University of Sydney. Later, she became the headmistress of Abbotsleigh, a private girls' school in Sydney. She also helped start the Australian Council for the Arts.

Early Life and Education

Betty Archdale was born in London, England. Her mother, Helen Archdale, was a famous suffragette. This means her mother bravely fought for women's right to vote. Betty's father was a soldier who sadly died in World War I when she was eleven.

Betty went to Bedales School in Hampshire, where she learned to play cricket. She then attended St Leonards School in St Andrews, Scotland.

Cricket Career

Betty Archdale was a right-handed batter. She played in five Test matches for England between 1934 and 1937. She made history as the first captain of the England women's team. She led the team on their first tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1934/35. She also played cricket for local teams, including Kent.

A Life of Service and Leadership

After school, Betty studied at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She graduated in 1929 with a degree in economics and political science. She then studied law in London, becoming a qualified lawyer in 1938.

During World War II, Betty served in the WRNS. She was a wireless operator in Singapore. She was even honored with an Order of the British Empire for helping nurses escape during the conflict.

Leading in Education

In 1946, Betty moved to Australia. She became the principal of The Women's College at the University of Sydney. She held this important role for 10 years. She was also a member of the University Senate for 25 years. In the 1960s, she was a well-known personality on television and radio.

From 1958, Betty Archdale was the headmistress of Abbotsleigh, a private girls' school in Sydney, for 12 years. She made many positive changes at the school. She helped make the rules less strict and introduced new subjects like physics. She also focused more on Australian history instead of just British history. During her time, the school built its Assembly Hall (in 1963) and Chapel (in 1965).

In June 1968, Betty was chosen as one of the first members of the Australian Council for the Arts. This council helps support arts and culture in Australia.

Honors and Legacy

In 1997, Betty Archdale was named a National Living Treasure in Australia. This honor is given to people who have made a great contribution to their country. In March 1999, she was one of the first ten women to become an Honorary Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club in England. This is a very special honor in the world of cricket.

Betty Archdale passed away on January 1, 2000, in Sydney, at the age of 92.

The "Archdale Debating" competition is named in her honor. This competition involves private and Catholic girls' schools in Sydney. It celebrates her dedication to education and empowering young women.