By Russell Bennett
A week before more than 86,000 fans packed the MCG to witness history as Australia won the women’s Twenty20 World Cup, the potential stars of tomorrow were on show much closer to home.The pathway for local girls into women’s cricket was highlighted significantly at Starling Road in Officer when the hometown Bullants and Carlisle Park went head-to-head for the WGCA All-Star Girls crown.
In what was a carnival-like atmosphere in front of a bumper crowd, the Vikings completed the double after finishing on top of the ladder and then claiming the Bendigo Bank Cup in their grand final win.
West Gippsland’s girls competition has taken massive strides forward since its inception three years ago. Seven clubs competed in 2020, and the standard of the cricket played has clearly risen significantly.
The WGCA’s girls cricket committee opted to create a carnival where participants could have fun in a full, immersive cricket experience before the commencement of play.
The Cardinia Life ‘Street Team’ entertained a host of local youngsters in Officer on Sunday, while Cricket Victoria’s Region 8 manager – and Pakenham Premier XI skipper – Rob Elston conducted a skills clinic to give the kids a taste of the action out in the middle.
Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Cricket Club star Hayleigh Brennan was also on hand to help take the youngsters through their paces, pose for photos with them, and answer their probing questions.
Out in the middle, Officer won the toss and batted first – reaching 11/90 from their allotted overs. In reply, the Vikings countered with 5/125. Carlisle Park’s steadiness in the field and line-and-length, stump-to-stump bowling was a particular standout of the game, with Alyssa Jackel shining – claiming 4/6 and scoring 10 not out.
Following the game, Brennan presented premiership medallions to the winning players, while Liz Wade – the Bendigo Bank’s Kooweerup branch manager – presented the cup.
Officiating umpire Michael Dawes, a small army of volunteers from Officer, and the WGCA officials were also thanked for their involvement in, and organisation of a fantastic day’s cricket.
Kim Isaacs, the coach of the Officer girls side and a trailblazer of women’s sport in her own right, praised the performance of a standout Carlisle Park outfit, but also spoke about the significance of the All-Star girls tournament.
She spoke about how over 50 per cent of women between the ages of 18 and 64 don’t participate in enough physical activity, and urged females of all ages to get involved in sport – at whatever level.
“It’s up to us as volunteers to create an environment that encourages them to get involved – that’s very important,” she said.
“Some girls almost feel shunned away from playing sport – and that’s any sporting environment.”
Isaacs said it was vital to have a welcoming environment that allowed girls to flourish – particularly in their formative sporting years.
“We’re in a grand final and some of these girls (prior to this season) had never, ever played cricket before so getting those new girls in – with some of them starting at the age of 10 – it’s just been unbelievable,” she said.
“We’ve got girls who’re 10-years-old playing in this game, and that’s fantastic.
“It’s the really good thing about it, and as much as you want to walk away with the silverware, the main thing is that they’re participating.
“When I started playing cricket I started at the age of 10, playing against adult women (because) that was the only league I could play in.
“To see this pathway develop, it makes you feel really warm inside as a coach, and just as an administrator of women’s sport.”
