Junior girls cricket program ready for blast-off

GIRLS aged between five and 10 years of age will get the chance this month to learn new ball skills, make friends and get their first taste of cricket over the span of four weeks.

A collaboration between Cricket Victoria, the Geelong Cricket Club and the Geelong Girls Cricket League has made possible a four-week All-Girls Pop Up Blast Program for girls looking to get their first taste of cricket in a fun and friendly environment.

The program will start from February 4 and run each Friday until February 25 at Kardinia Park from 5pm to 6pm.

“Part of our program at the Geelong Cricket Club is our coaching program, which is basically developing our female coaches,” Geelong Cricket Club vice president Sarah Pike said.

“Part of that is really getting involved in the junior programs and assisting in the growth of junior girls’ cricket.

“So we have been in frequent contact with a lot of the junior cricket association and that’s how we became involved with this program.”

Geelong Cricket Club will provide a couple of its coaches and its facilities to conduct the program.
“It’s a great introduction for girls wanting to give the sport a try,” Pike added.

“Anything we can do to encourage more girls to get involved in cricket, we are more than happy to support them.”

According to Geelong Girls Cricket League committee member Sarah Boak, an important aspect of the day is learning more about the sport and learning new skills, but she believes the biggest part is making new friends and the benefits of the social side of the program.

“In my opinion, the main takeaway for participants will be making new friends and it’s just a unique opportunity to meet new people,” Boak said.

“Just getting out there and trying something new will be great for this group of girls and potentially forming friendships outside of the sport.”

The structure of the four-week Blast Program will be led by two of the Geelong Cricket Club’s best in First XI captain Renee Cox and Jazz Fisher.

“The two ladies will be running through the basics of the game over the month,” Boak said.

“In addition to the skills of the game, they will try to explain what cricket is all about, what are the most important things to get out of playing the sport and how games are played.”

The first 30 registrations for this new program will receive a free bat in addition to a complimentary backpack and red rubber ball.

To register, head to the program via playcricket.com.au and search Geelong Junior Cricket Association.

If you would like more information about the program contact Sarah Boak on 0407 110 210.