PLANS are underway for a girls only under-13 cricket team to compete in the Grampians Cricket Association next season.
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Junior cricketer Kayla Stuchbree is behind the effort and is working with the association and Central Highlands regional cricket manager Campbell Waring to get resources together.
Stuchbree has represented Victoria in state competitions and will coach the team.
It will be the junior cricketer’s first time coaching a team, and she said the motivation behind it was simple.
“I just want more girls and female participation in cricket in general,” she said.
“I know for me getting to play for Victoria, it was really hard to reach that because there is not many levels to play at as a girl, so I had to play with boys, which is really intimidating sometimes.
“I hope to have some tips that I can hopefully pass on to them.
I just want more girls and female participation in cricket in general. I know for me getting to play for Victoria, it was really hard to reach that because there is not many levels to play at as a girl, so I had to play with boys, which is really intimidating sometimes.
- Kayla Stuchbree
“It will be a challenge to not only coach but to get it going from the start, but if it does not work out, I will be devastated.”
Cricket is a big passion for Stuchbree, so much so she has started playing indoor cricket in the winter.
She will run clinics at Ararat and Ararat West Primary Schools next week to develop the pupils’ skills while trying to increase interest in the girls team for the 2017-18 season.
Stuchbree said she was confident it would happen and the quality of players might even surprise onlookers.
“We have got some interest already, I have done a lot of work on Facebook and getting Campbell Waring onboard as well has really helped,” she said.
“I definitely think there is talent out there, I have seen it in some of the girls in the region, which is why I just want to get it going and see how it goes.”
Stuchbree is hopeful the team will be able to evolve into something bigger in coming seasons.
“I can definitely see it going long term, but at this early stage it is about making sure the girls are having fun this season and that will be my main focus,” she said.
“An all-girls cricket association is definitely what we are working towards.
“Campbell wanted to try to do something this season but there is too much pressure on the town.”