WOMEN\u2019S cricket may soon have another team joining its ranks on the Bellarine, as the Wallington Cricket Club is on the brink of fielding its inaugural female team and already has its first signing raring to go.<\/p>\n
Maddy van Loon jumped at the chance to be a part of Wallington\u2019s team, especially given her history with the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI play footy in the winter and have always wanted to play a summer sport,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my dad told me that Wallington was fielding a women\u2019s team, I was super excited because it\u2019s a club I have grown up at and to be the next generation of van Loons to play at Wallington is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was nine or 10 years old when her father was the Wallington president, which is also when she received her first club shirt with \u201cLittle Pres\u201d on the back.<\/p>\n
Incumbent president and 300-gamer at Wallington Marc Occhipinti is preparing to be at the forefront of the women\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Fielding two men\u2019s teams in 2020-21 and adding an extra squad this coming season, Occhipinti said the club had only recently reached the point where it could form a women\u2019s team because of significant growth at junior level.<\/p>\n
He also said there was sufficient interest from players already, and the information night was still weeks away.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaddy just happened to be the first one we announced. We already have another six or seven already committed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallington needs at least 11 players to field a side but is aiming for 15 players to accommodate for weekly absences. However, there has been a considerable number of inquiries, raising the possibility of a second team.<\/p>\n
Above all, the women looking to play this summer want a place to enjoy themselves for three hours a week and have an abundance of fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am looking forward to making new friends and having some fun with them. If I can hit some fours and sixes as well, that would be great,\u201d van Loon said.<\/p>\n
For Occhipinti, the greatest benefits will arise from the cricket community as a whole and the social impact it has on individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we want to be competitive, we are also highlighting that this would be a great social outlet for players and their families. And for the mums, they get at least three hours off from the kids,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are emphasising the importance of community and enjoying the beautiful rural setting that the ground is set in.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on how you could join in, register your interest for the information night on August 5 through the club\u2019s Facebook page or at wallingtoncc.com.au.<\/p>\n
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WOMEN\u2019S cricket may soon have another team joining its ranks on the Bellarine, as the Wallington Cricket Club is on the brink of fielding its inaugural female team and already has its first signing raring to go. Maddy van Loon jumped at the chance to be a part of Wallington\u2019s team, especially given her history […]<\/p>\n