By KATH GANNAWAY
GIRLS from around the Yarra Valley showed they are just as keen as the boys when it comes to cricket, defying the rain to take part in the Yarra Valley’s Female Festival of Cricket on Friday night.
Hosted by Cricket Victoria and the Yarra Valley Cricket Association, the festival gave girls of all ages a chance to try a sport that has a growing female profile at the elite level, and to barrack for the Yarra Valley Stars who took on Ringwood Rams in a competition opener under lights.
The presence of some of Cricket Victoria’s top officials gave the Stars and the Rams an extra reason to take to the pitch, and to shine, despite the rain.
Outer East Regional cricket Manager Jarrod Leggett said female involvement in cricket was not new, but was definitely something that is developing with marketing and investment from Cricket Victoria greatly increased over the past 10 decade.
The social connection, making new friends and learning new skills in a game that has traditionally been a male domain, is all part of the attraction of cricket for the girls.
He said they were starting to see really positive role models coming through with players such as top Australian batswoman Meg Lanning and on a local level Ringwood player Jess Adams, 14, who took out the RDCA bowling average, and won the Outer-East Junior Leader Award in open competition – the first female to get the award.
Mr. Leggett said a lot of talented girl cricketers play in the open competition until they are 15 or 16 when they can make the move to premier girls’ cricket, and said the Cricket Victoria pathway is now the same for girls and it is for boys.
“We have really good examples of where opportunities for boys and girls are now aligning,” Mr. Leggett said.
“Victoria premier cricket is the same as for males with district competition offering girls the opportunity at premier level to represent Victoria.
“This is the first year where we have an all-girls junior competition and we’re hopeful we will see more,” he said.
The Female Festival of Cricket gave every indication that Cricket Victoria, and the Yarra Valley will see more – and not too far off.
In addition to the All Girls in2Cricket and T20 Blast workshops which saw girls of all ages showing a real keenness for the game, and glimpses of real talent as well, the main game also had significant highlights – not necessarily reflected in the final scores.
For Yarra Valley, Amanda Morrison was 23 not out, Caitlyn Parker 1/17 and a direct hit run out and Marlee Wandin took 1/13. For Ringwood G Bennett was 52 not out and Jess Adams took 2/1.
Healesville, Yarra Junction, Launching Place and Seville cricket club are looking at starting their own girls’ teams and would welcome enquiries.
Anyone interested in girls cricket at any level can also get information from Di Day, Female Youth Program Officer with Cricket Victoria on 0427 314 389 or 9653 1100.
