Women wanted to take to the pitch

INVERLEIGH Cricket Club is looking to form a women’s team for the upcoming season.

With two men’s senior teams, five junior squads and a Master Blaster initiative, club president Marcus Warton said a female starting XI would help bolster their expansion.

“We’re trying to grow the game here. Obviously, women’s cricket has grown a lot in the Geelong region so we’re trying to get them onboard,” he said.

“There’s so many opportunities for women around the Inverleigh area and we’re hoping to facilitate that while growing the club.

“We’re wanting to play at things like the national women’s T20 competition, and it all has to start somewhere.

“It’s also been a big push from Cricket Victoria to help grow the game at the grassroots and further the participation for women in the sport.”

With nine players needed to fill the team, Mr Warton said he’s had one-person express interest in joining.

The club formed a n informal team to play against Inverleigh netballs as part of a reverse raffle in March, and he said since then there’s been little response.

With women’s teams established at Lethbridge, Linton and Bannockburn, Mr Warton said he believes many potential Inverleigh players have already taken their talents elsewhere.

“I know there’s a lot of girls and women from the area that are already in other established clubs,” he said.

Still, he added he remains hopeful, and the club is looking to host a come and try session should interest grow.

“It’s definitely going to happen in the future, but for now we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.

“It only takes one or two to get the ball rolling and then they might know others who are interested and we’ll take it from there.”