A first of its kind women’s sporting competition in the South East hosted by the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is under way in Mount Gambier.
The SMASH Series Cricket is a social cricket competition for women from 5-18 years old at Frew Park on Wednesdays from 4-5pm.
While the inaugural installation of the program was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 12, it was postponed a week due to high temperatures.
SACA South East Country Cricket Officer Laura Chester said the first session “went really well” with almost 10 girls showing up to get involved.
“I think we had a couple more girls turn up than what I was expecting which was good,” she said.
“There were younger girls there as well as some older girls, but they all fitted in and even though there was a bit of an age difference, it did not really matter.
“They all just played together and it was actually really lovely to see.
“I had a few mums and a nanna come out which was really great to see.
“We have obviously got a women’s program up and running in the South East but it is probably not where we would like it.
“We hope this way it encourages mums to come along with their daughters and they can get a bit of a taste of it as well and see what it’s like … then if they do want to play that next level competitive cricket they have got the option to come and join the women’s league.”
Chester said she aimed to make the session as inclusive as possible, with no experience necessary and zero expectations.
“It is a new concept, but it is something that Cricket Australia have been really excited to see roll out in country areas and Mount Gambier being one of the first, I wanted to make sure it’s as inviting as possible,” she said.
“The more we can encourage girls to join and play cricket and fall in love with it, then the better the female participation is going to get.
“I think from the girls’ body language and some of the comments I got afterwards they really enjoyed it, so it absolutely was a welcoming environment.
“I think given cricket is not Mount Gambier’s most desired sport especially with female participation, they (Cricket Australia) are really keen to see how it evolves, especially being girls only, but you can also come into it and there is absolutely no expectation.”
The participants played on a modified smaller oval with stumps and one batter and bowler.
“I had two double scoring zones so if they hit it through the cones along the ground it was a four, but if they hit it through the coloured cones it was an eight, so encouraging those bigger shots and I think everyone loves when you can play those big shots.
“I think we went around twice and everyone got two bats and two bowls.
“It is not a hard ball and it is no padding equipment, so you do not have to wear all the pads and gloves and the helmets which I think sometimes can be a bit intimidating.
“It is just a bit of a modified backyard cricket program that hopefully girls can get amongst.”
The last installment of the program will take place next Wednesday at Frew Park from 4-5pm.
