President David D’Elia has affirmed the association will proceed with launching a women’s competition this year — but how it will be structured is still up for contention.
“We have every intention of running a women’s competition for the upcoming season,” D'Elia said.
“How it actually looks, that will depend on numbers.
“If we can get a junior comp up as well, that is great, but if not, it will likely be a mixed competition with women and girls.”
At a May meeting, a senior women’s and under-15 girls’ competition was floated for next season, but D’Elia expressed the association's commitment to getting at least one over the line for summer.
“We have had two clubs indicate they have definite numbers for a women’s team, which they haven’t previously had before, and another which currently competes in the GMC that wants to come back to Cricket Shepparton,” he said.
“There are also a number of clubs which can be grouped together to make teams.
“As well as that, our survey has had 30 responses, which are good numbers, but we want more.”
A strong female playing base is already represented within Cricket Shepparton’s junior boys ranks.
D’Elia speculated the new pathway might not draw all across, but providing the opportunity lies at the heart of the push toward the competition's introduction.
“With girls currently playing in boys competition, there will be some who will want to continue to do that, but there will be others who aren’t comfortable and want to move to a female league,” he said.
“Another thing that has come to light is the grants available — good ones at that — for women’s cricket.
“If there are clubs out there shying away due to costs, come and talk with us and we can run through how beneficial those grants can be.”
As for finalising the competition's structure, D'Elia made it clear the association is dedicated to tailoring it to the needs of players as a potential start date looms closer.
“For me, the ideal competition is where every female is keen on playing, we want to sit down and organise a structure which suits them. Nothing is off the table,” he said.
“We don’t want a male-dominated cricket association making hard and fast decisions surrounding this.
“It is a work in progress — it might be a little rusty at the start, but we need to get something started.
“And if any females want to help out, we are more than happy to have them on board.”
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