By Trevor Jackson
EXCITEMENT is building in the Limestone Coast with the announcement an Open Age women’s cricket competition will go ahead in 2020.
Organised by SACA South East development organiser James Dunn, the season will run for six rounds with five teams from right around the region.
Bordertown, Naracoorte, North Sportsmen’s, Mil Lel and South Gambier have all signed up for the season, with Dunn excited about the opportunity.
“In the past we have had women’s games but they weren’t really seasons,” he said.
“They played a few games and it wasn’t structured at all but I guess it was the beginning of what we wanted to do.
“This year it is structured so it is really the launch of it all.”
Dunn said after a small competition last year with just two teams, the chance to run a real season was “pretty exciting”.
“Mundulla was close to getting a team as well but could not quite get there,” he said.
“They will hopefully have one next season but we have three out of the four associations covered this year which is good.”
Dunn said it had been a long-term goal of his to bring women’s cricket to the region.
“This is just part of what I have been aiming to do,” he said.
“Last year we had a team enter into the Under 16 Country Cup girls’ competition which was the first time we really had a proper structured team of girls playing.
“I have kept coaching them and these other teams have come along and wanted to play.
“It has blown me away.
“I thought we might get three teams throughout the South East but to have five in the competition is quite staggering really.”
Women’s cricket has gained momentum at a higher level, with the Australian women’s team enjoying much media coverage and support.
That scenario, along with what Dunn described as transferrable skills, provides the new competition every chance to succeed.
“I personally think the exposure we are able to get for female cricket on TV gives young girls something to aspire to,” Dunn said.
“But I think the skills are quite transferable from hockey – a lot of hockey girls have come along.
“They are not hitting a cricket ball off the ground from nothing – they have a bit of eye/hand coordination.
“I think a lot of the clubs who are involved in this are very supportive of the girls.”
The sport will also allow the players to keep their eye in for the hockey off-season.
Dunn said that was a major factor in where the season was positioned in the Limestone Coast.
“We have put it in a window where it wouldn’t clash with any other sport,” he said.
“That was a key priority when I caught up with some of the girls from Bordertown and Naracoorte after the last season.
“They wanted to have a stand alone competition which didn’t clash with other sport to lose players to, so we found this little window.”
Dunn said the covid effect may have also had an impact on the competition, with women having missed their sport this year and keen to play.
The season will kick off on November 1 at Naracoorte, with six minor rounds in a Twenty20 format.
Three rounds are pencilled in for Mount Gambier – at Blue Lake Sports Park and Marist Park.
A finals day is yet to be finalised, but Dunn said he hopes to include all five teams on the one day to cap off the season.
