Four Far South Coast girls will take on some of the state’s best cricketers next week.
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Bega’s Jade Allen and Janet King alongside Eden’s Jessie Mudaliar and Jemma Pollock will compete as part of the NSW Female Championships in Raymond Terrace at Newcastle.
“They’re going up on Monday and will be involved in two T20s a day,” FSC Cricket Association spokesman Dave Allen said.
“Janet and Jade played up there last year, but it’s the first time for Jemma and Jessie – it’s the best country girls playing on the turf in colours, official umpires and the full bit.”
“It’s a real test for the girls, but it’s also really enjoyable and they’re pumped.”
Janet and Jade will compete in the under 18s side, while Jessie, Jemma and Jade will contest the under 15s contest.
All the girls will play four matches in total – while Jade, 13, will contest eight over the two age groups.
They will each play three matches against other teams in their pool, while a fourth round will finalise the positions.
The competition is yet another step up for a growing presence of girls in the local league with all four represented in the ACT Southern women’s academy.
It’s a training program stretching from the Far South Coast north to places like Goulburn and including all of the Canberra region.
An academy training session was held at the Berrambool Oval nets recently, while the training sessions are traditionally held at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.
“Given our strong representation it was an easy decision to hold a session here,” Allen said.
Meanwhile, Eden cricket proponent Drew Mudaliar said it was credit to the girls’ hard work.
"The girls have worked hard over the off-season and have benefitted from the increasing resources devoted to female cricketers,” Mudaliar said.
“The girls have been training with their ACT Meteors teams along with learning through the ACT/Southern and Far South academies."
And the timing couldn’t be better, if the girls can compete well next week, they have the opportunity to be named as part of the NSW Country side.
The four local entrants are some of the younger players taking part and will still be eligible for future rounds of the championships.
“The girls will give it their best shot … and be gaining valuable experience and knowledge,” Mudaliar said.
The Country team will take on the best of the Metro regions later in the year, and an overall NSW side will be named for the Australian Championships.
They’re also very active in the local competition for their home clubs with the junior draws to start on October 21.