Jan Juc to preach fun, inclusivity and development through 2021/22

JAN JUC’S first ever women’s side has experienced both triumph and defeat in their opening two home games at Bob Pettitt Reserve.

The team’s first ever contest at home in Round 3 against Lethbridge on November 28 ended in success winning by six wickets (4/113 to 8/110) on the back of Danielle Jennings’ and Ellie Heath’s 30 runs apiece, as well as Jasmine Arthur’s pair of wickets.

Four days later, Jan Juc hosted Queenscliff’s inaugural women’s side in their rescheduled Round Two clash, but some unfavourable weather and a golden duck to their captain saw the Coutas chase down the home side’s 1/129 in 17 overs of work with 2/135.

Nevertheless, the mixture of results has had anything but a detrimental effect on the Sharks, given the amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes in constructing the team for this season.

Every Jan Juc player has not stopped smiling since starting their first ever campaign and it shows on the face of coach Denis Bilston.

“We tried to get this team together last season, but obviously with COVID we weren’t able to get it up and going,” Bilston said.

“We then had a few people talking over the winter, particularly cice president Amber Heath, who has been instrumental getting this going, and then from that we brought Cara [Powers] across as our first ever captain, which has been fantastic.

“You look over to the balcony and you see all the blokes supporting this team, it isn’t a gimmick, this is fair dinkum.”

Despite being bowled out on the first delivery of their contest with Queenscliff, captain Cara Powers said the best way to promote the sport is by having fun and being inclusive, but the side’s high standard of skills should be enough for the squad to enjoy some success.

“We’re an enthusiastic group that’s for sure,” Powers said.

“We’re also very talented and just a great bunch of girls that just love playing an inclusive game like cricket.

“During that first win, it was just wonderful to see the team’s development and skills come together, it was an awesome day for the club, and it was an awesome day for the team.”

Jan Juc’s women’s side will continue to face opposition in the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition’s D Grade division.

The Sharks’ next outing will be against Geelong West Whitten at Jan Juc Park this coming Sunday.