QPCC Votes 'Yes' On Women

The Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC) in Trinidad & Tobago late Thursday voted to accept membership applications from women, a landmark decision that has divided the century-old club.

The controversial issue was put to the vote at a special general meeting where two resolutions were put to the membership: to delay the vote on women as members until 2007; and to allow women eligibility to apply for membership.

Trinidadian journalist Andre Baptiste, who covered the vote live for i955FM radio, told CaribbeanCricket.com the lobby for female members won by a majority but the dissenting vote was significant.

On the resolution to delay voting on women as members until June 2007, there were 346 'NO' votes and 194 'YES' votes with 9 spoils.

On the more important vote to allow women eligibility to apply for membership of the QPCC, the votes were exactly the same: 346 'YES', 194 'NO' and 4 spoilt votes.

After the meeting, QPCC president Willie Rodriguez was thrilled with the results, arguing that it proved the club had more progressive members than regressive members.

However, he warned that women would get no special treatment and would have to go through the same application and waiting list procedures as male members.