By Abbey Cannan
The most intense sporting moments growing up in an Aussie household didn’t take place in a big arena shown on TV, but in the backyard.
Balls, bats, wickets (that were often interchangeable with a green bin) would occupy all of the kids on the street (and the big kids) into a regular game of backyard cricket.
Fast runs, perfect catches, terrible throws from some (not naming names), and laughter that turned into frustration when one go-getter would hit a six over the neighbour’s fence or onto the roof putting a stop to the match.
The game is an integral part of Australian history, which began largely as a male-dominated sport.
Australian women have always been enthusiastic spectators at cricket matches and soon proved themselves to be just as keen players of the sport.
And today, there is no stopping the women.
The Noosa Tewantin Cricket Club was formed in the early 1920’s and last year, a group of eager local women came together to create the Club’s first women’s team.
But why has it taken so long for a local women’s team to form?
Team member Petrina McAulay said the success and publicity of the Australian Women’s Cricket team within the last few years has done wonders for local cricket.
“There were no avenues before and not enough interest to get a competition running. It’s just been a combination of more publicity and a number of start up grants so now any club that creates a women’s team gets extra funding,” Petrina said.
ACA sponsored team mentor and former Australian player Patsy Fayne said she is very proud of how well the current Australian Women’s team have played over in England.
“Their fielding is a delight to watch and they’re such good ambassadors. They are professionals – they add an excitement to the game. There is nothing more thrilling as a sports woman than walking out on to a sporting field wearing green and gold colours. That’s something that we can all aim to achieve, especially these youngsters coming through. It’s a pride,” she said.
Patsy said the experience for the current international women’s team would be totally different compared to when she played for Australia from 1968 to 1976.
“These girls are professionals; they get paid a salary to play cricket. We had to have a nine to five job, fundraise, and buy our own air ticket to England to represent our country,” Patsy said.
“It’s been a long process to get women’s cricket to where they are now. The big difference is the acceptance now. We put up with a lot of sexism and ridicule. But those days are gone now which is good. Cricket has come a long way and we’re hoping to make it grow further.
“The addition of the recent upgrade to the Noosa-Tewantin Cricket Club has been great. It will attract international teams to come and practice here.
“The support has been wonderful and I’m so thrilled that these girls have this team going.”
Noosa-Tewantin Women’s Cricket team member Paula McKie said that their two teams, Thunder and Lightning, did really well in their first season.
“For a lot of them it was their first time picking up a bat, or even knowing where to field or catching the bloody thing and we did so well,” Paula said.
“Thanks to the support of the entire club we’ve been able to have a great first season and we look forward to welcoming all of the new players in the new season.”
Paula first started playing cricket in 1998 after her mum set up a women’s cricket team at their local village in England.
“I’m encouraging more women to sign up because it’s so much fun, you will get to meet new friends and be a part of a club. One of the reasons why it’s such a great sport is because literally anyone can play,” Paula said.
Patsy said it was fun teaching the new girls how to do the overarm action when bowling.
“Women invented the overarm action because they couldn’t deliver the ball underarm because of the hooped skirts they wore in those days,” Patsy said.
Team member Petrina grew up playing backyard cricket and went on to play vigoro in school, firstly just to get out of maths class.
“I continued playing and then moved to Sydney and got into the New South Wales team and played a couple of Australian titles. I then had a 20-year hiatus and got back into it here in Noosa to meet people because I was new to the Coast,” Petrina said.
“Hopefully our women’s competition builds up into grades like the men’s in the next few years because at the moment it’s mixed abilities in the social grade.”
“It is social but when you’re out there on that field, you are in it to win it,” Paula added.
Team member Rachel Martin also decided to give the sport a go last season to meet new people after recently moving to the area.
“I had never picked up a bat in my life and I actually didn’t have much of an interest in cricket at all. When I went along to one of their ‘come and try days’ I was so nervous but it is honestly the best thing I have done in a long time,” Rachel said.
“Last season was a lot of fun and I was helped out so much by the more experienced players and we were provided with all the gear we needed and all the help we wanted. I must admit I’m still learning all the rules. I really have got more out of this then just a sporting team I have found an amazing community group and a wonderful new bunch of friends.”
The women’s social competition is played every fortnight on Sundays in a 20/20 format. It takes a maximum of three hours to play so you still have the rest of the day to relax. So, if you’re interested in a fun team sport with friends, be sure to attend the following ‘Come and Try’ days for the next season.
The Tewantin Noosa Cricket women’s Come and Try Days (14 years and up) will be held on Sundays 11/8, 25/8 and 8/9 from 2pm to 4pm at McKinnon Drive.
Sunshine Coast Cricket girl’s skill development days (5 to 13 years) will be held on Mondays 19/8, 26/8, 2/9 and 9/9 from 4pm to 5.30pm at Read Park.
