ACT METEORS star Aimee Harris will be visiting the Far South Coast next week.
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Harris will be leading two junior coaching clinics, with the first to be specifically aimed at female cricketers at Berrambool Oval, Merimbula.
Thanks to a partnership with the Far South Coast Cricket Association the clinic will be free and run from 10am until noon for girls followed by a barbecue lunch and boys session from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.
Harris said cricket had become a passion for her at an early age.
“I started when I was in Year 1, there was a flyer passed around the classroom,” Harris said.
“I took it home and showed my dad, he read it and said ‘lets sign you up’,” she said.
Harris then went on to play club cricket and was selected to represent NSW in state competition since the age of 15.
Harris said it had been “hard” to find selection with the NSW team in her senior career and moved to Canberra to take a spot with the ACT Meteors.
Harris said she had retired from the top level of women’s competition at the end of last year to have a break and was eager to pursue coaching before considering a return.
“I’ll see how coaching goes, I might consider going back, but for now I’m happy doing my own thing.”
Harris said she already has a history of coaching girls behind her and now is looking to use her experience to help local girls get in to the sport.
“I used to work at Cricket NSW and look after girls programs there so that was my job, obviously playing the sport helps, my aim is to hopefully get girls a bit more excited about it.
“It’s becoming quite a big sport in the female world, you can be seen on TV and get paid.
“Hopefully that could intrigue them even more.”
Harris said she was excited about visiting the Far South Coast as she had never been before and is looking forward to meeting all the up-and-coming players the coast has to offer.
“I’m sure the girls will be lovely and keen,” she said.
Harris will be joined by two of the ACT’s Emerging Comets team, Jake Floros and Matt Paton.
Meanwhile, Far South Coast Cricket media officer Dave Allen said it was a great opportunity for girls to get involved in the sport.
“Current association junior players and any girls who are interested in cricket are welcome,” Allen said.
“The aim of the session is to build awareness of female cricket with the hope of establishing a female Twenty20 competition on the Far South Coast in the future.”
Harris will also assist in the running of the afternoon session for boys which will also serve as a trial match for a game against the Canberra under 12s the following week Allen said.
“It’s not just an opportunity for some free high quality coaching, but will double as a selection for a match against the ACT side the following Sunday in Bega,” he said.