It’s hoped the White Ferns’ victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup will supercharge the growth of female players of all ages in cricket in this country.
The sport’s profile has grown in recent weeks with the gutsy New Zealand squad being crowned world champions when they defeated South Africa by 32 runs in the competition’s final staged in Dubai.
Among the key players on the team were Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club (HPCC) reps Molly Penfold and Brooke Halliday.
Halliday scored 38 runs in the final and starred with the ball, taking three wickets.
HPCC general manager Francis Scordino says he hopes seeing Penfold and Halliday achieving success on the international stage will inspire girls in east Auckland to take up the sport.
“We’ve had significant growth in girl’s cricket over the past five or six seasons.
“It’s an area we’ve put a lot of work into. Our junior playing base has gone from one team to six or seven, and our senior playing base as well is strong.
“Along with having Molly and Brooke playing for the White Ferns, we’ve got six other first-class players and we’ve just had five girls selected for provincial under 19 sides.”
Scordino says the club’s youngest girl players get involved when they’re just four or five years old through its midget programme.
“They come through the midget grades and play mixed cricket with boys until they get to around nine and 10.
“Then they go into their own pathway in terms of their own standalone girls’ team.
“We see ourselves as a pathway. Brooke only joined the club about seven years ago.
“Molly’s been with the club since she was a little kid. If I look at the bulk of our rep players, they’re the same. They’ve all been with the club long-term since they were little.
“We’re also seeing opportunities for umpires and coaches within the women’s game that’s developing very quickly.”
Scordino encourages all girls and women in east Auckland who’d like to have a go at cricket to contact the club.
“The key thing for us is the environment we create. Yes, it’s about cricket and skill development and the game, but equally it’s about a supportive, fun environment and opportunities for everyone.
“We want them to be here for a long time and the only way you’re going to stay long-term is if you’re enjoying it so that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
Among the club’s key female players and staff is Josie Penfold, Molly’s older sister.
She’s taken on the role of junior girls’ co-ordinator at HPCC, Scordino says.
“Josie is an Auckland Hearts player and she works for us running our juniors and our midgets. Josie is fantastic.”
New Zealand Cricket head of women’s high performance, Liz Green, says she hopes the victorious White Ferns’ campaign will be a springboard for the game here.
“There’s an overwhelming sense of pride in what this group has achieved and how they’ve carried themselves.
“I hope this acts as the catalyst for more participation and involvement in the women’s game in New Zealand, from playing to coaching to volunteers and match officials. We know cricket is a game for everyone.”
