WITH the weather set to heat up, Fremantle and Melville girls are grabbing their bats, balls, pads and cricket whites and heading to suburban pitches in the new Scorchers Girls Cricket League.
Always a popular sport among local boys, cricket has seen a surge in female participation as the Women’s Big Bash League grows in popularity.
So much so East Fremantle, Bicton, Bateman, Leeming and Melville cricket clubs have all signed up for new competition.
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READ NOWEast Fremantle Junior Cricket Club’s Craig Byron said they had previously given local girls the chance to play in mixed teams, but that this was a great opportunity for them to have their own competition.
“The club has always been an advocate for fostering opportunities for girls to have greater involvement in cricket and providing a pathway for any girls interested in participating in junior cricket competitions,” he said.
“It is fantastic to have the support of the WACA and their development officers to promote in local schools and the community the various competitions girls are welcome to participate in and launching the inaugural Perth Scorchers Girls Cricket League this season.
“The focus for the team is first and foremost on having fun, developing their skills and building on friendships and judging by their enthusiasm at training they will be trying their best and I’m sure they will have much success and enjoyment this season.”
Bicton Junior Cricket Club coach Ben Finlay said they were excited to be a part of the new league.
“This is our first season which we have a dedicated under-age girl’s team,” he said.
“We have had girls involved in the grassroots MILO In-2-Cricket (5-7 years) and MILO T20Blast (7-11 years) programs for many years, but we are now developing a pathway through to senior cricket.
“Our inaugural under-13 team has five girls from Bicton playing alongside five girls from Leeming in an initial combined side and the girls are absolutely thrilled that they can play a game which they all love so much in a very positive and supportive environment.”
Registrations are still open for girls who want to join a team.
Visit www.scorchersgirls.wa.cricket.com.au for more information and contact details.
Local Teams East Fremantle: Under-13s Bateman: Under-15s Bicton: Under-13s Melville: Under-18s Leeming: Under-13s