Young girls looking to give cricket a go can when a female-only Woolworths Cricket Blast program rolls into town this week.
Yesterday the first session of the special program took place with plenty of smiles and shots seen around the outfield of Frew Park.
The program is the perfect entry for girls looking to try what has been known over the decades as Australia’s summer game or simply to have some fun outside and make new friends.
It is just the third cricket blast session in the region dedicated for girls and the first run by the South East Women’s Cricket Association with North Sportsman’s star Fiona Young passing on her expertise from dominating the local competition with the ball and blade.
Speaking to The SE Voice ahead of the first session, Young said she cannot wait to provide girls of all abilities with the opportunity to get into the great game of cricket.
“It is really exciting to do one just for the girls,” she said.
“We have seen lots of little sisters watching their brothers during normal junior Blasters sessions, so it will be brilliant to one about the girls.
“We want to make a big deal about it because the opportunity has not always been there.”
“Anyone is welcome and it will be a lot of fun.”
Young said participants will learn lots of cricket, sport and life skills in a fun environment.
“Like in all team sports people will be learning, meeting and sharing with other kids and will get plenty of fitness,” she said.
“They will be able to have lots of fun outdoors and learn basic skills to hopefully fall in love with the game or any sport really.
“They will have a great time and get lots of gear with their name on it which all kids love seeing.”
The program takes place in the middle of a booming time for the women’s game.
The Australian team continues to raise the bar being easily the number one team in the world after winning the Ashes in convincing style during a series which included arguably the most exciting finish to a Test played down under in the 21st century.
As the Blast sessions roll on, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup kicks off, while the sport returns to the Commonwealth Games later this year.
Young said she hopes participation is boosted by the increased profile of the women’s game.
“It may not be a big hit, but we are hoping for modest numbers to get it started because its just one of those things where families may only find out a bit later because their friends are doing it,” she said.
“It’s a bit tricky during term one of school, but getting any girls playing cricket is good for me.
“A lot of the girls are starting to watch the women’s Big Bash or Ashes on TV and I think we are seeing now is the fruits of 20 years of hard work at community level.
“We have some juniors coming through, but to sustain the women’s league moving forward we need girls coming in, so hopefully we get some registrations down the track and that all starts at this level, so its great to do something like this.”
Six one-hour sessions will be held at Frew Park each Wednesday night from 4-6pm and registrations can be completed under the Mount Gambier section of the playcricket website.
