GIRLS’ cricket is getting runs on the board with the Yarra Valley Junior Cricket Association (YVJCA) hoping to produce the next wave of female cricketers.
The newly implemented YVJCA Yarra Valley Stars Junior Girls League is up and running in conjunction with Cricket Victoria (CV) with the initiative aimed at helping to strengthen the pathway for females in the region.
Four clubs, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Healesville and Seville are participating, and the aim is to recruit more girls as the program unfolds.
The first game of the six-week Yarra Valley Stars’ season is being held on Friday 21 November at Yarra Junction Cricket Club from 4.30pm. Here are incentives also for girls to try out the sport on the night with great incentives to go along including a two-game membership with The Melbourne Stars T20 Big Bash Team.
“Hopefully, we can encourage more people to get involved, as we believe that once the girls try this format of the game, they will want to continue playing until they are ready to step up to the Yarra Valley Stars,” Regional Cricket manager Jarrod Leggett said.
Girls were born to play cricket in the valley, and this competition is designed to provide cricket to the widest range of people possible,” Mr Leggett said.
Aimed at 10 to 14-year-olds, the competition will help bridge the gap for female participation opportunities between MILO T20 Blast and Yarra Valley Stars Women’s cricket team.
Three years ago, YVCA implemented the first structured opportunity for girls and women to play cricket by developing the Yarra Valley Stars Women’s team (YVS) based at Launching Place United Cricket Club.
“It’s exciting to see women’s cricket grow in our region,” Robert Boxell, YVJCA Female Development officer said.
“I hope that the girls will first and foremost have fun and have something to look forward to every fortnight and hopefully they will enjoy this new platform to develop their skills while growing their love for the game.”
To get involved email Robert Boxall ken.boxell@bigpond.com or Leah Parker leahandstuart@hotmail.com or go along to Yarra Junction on the night.
