Cricketers from across Western Australia will put their skills to the test during the 2019 Girls Country Cricket Carnival.
Presented by WA Country Cricket and Perth Scorchers, the event will see some of the state’s best, young female cricketers facing off in Leederville from January 4 to 6.
The South West group is sending two teams to this year’s competition, hoping to make their mark.
Along for the ride is South West cricketer Caitlyn Heslewood, eager to play well and have a blast.
“We’re looking forward to meeting new people and promoting female cricket,” she said.
“I love having fun and learning new things about the sport.”
The participants will undergo training sessions and match play, helping them to showcase and improve their skills.
Throughout the tournament, they will be assisted by current Perth Scorchers women’s players and coaches.
The girls will try-out a vast array of formats, including outdoor and indoor cricket.
They will also get the chance to attend a Women’s Big Bash League match.
Rockingham youth cricketer Shakira Parsons hopes the carnival will help her to take her skills to the next level.
“I would love to play state cricket and then for the country,” she said.
“With cricket, it’s a good sport to play and you get to meet a lot of people.
“It’s a joy to be with your team, they become like your family.”
WA Cricket Association South West cricket manager Rachel Norman said the carnival was significant to the organisation’s events calendar.
“Girls from all of the country regions get together. So, we have girls from Broome, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Geraldton etc. coming together for the three days,” she said.
“The girls continually want to go back because of the friendships they make and the fun they have.
“The girls who really want to increase their development will get a lot out of it, as well.”
Ms Norman said the carnival was part of WACA’s campaign to find the future stars of Australian cricket.
“We’re getting girls to play cricket. We’re celebrating women’s cricket whilst finding the next state players,” she said.
“Local players including Chloe Piparo and Alison Overton have gone through this carnival, and have made it into the state teams before going into our women’s team.
“We’re looking at making it a goal for girls to strive for, just like how Junior Country Week is for boys.”
Visit waca.com.au/get-involved/female-cricket for more on women’s cricket in WA.
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