Point Cook Centrals continue to focus on making sure all females have the opportunity to play cricket locally.
The club has five junior sides and is one of the few clubs in Melbourne’s west to have two women’s sides.
Sharks coordinator Sonja Jenkinson said making sure they had a sustainable female program was important.
“We have two sides, a social side in a T20 competition where everyone has a bat and bowl,” she said.
“The first side plays on turf. It’s exciting that we can cater for everyone.”
The Sharks top side plays in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 1 competition.
With a reduction of the number of teams this season, the Sharks are facing sides that have been playing at a higher level.
“We’ve essentially been promoted twice,” she said. “We’re finding it pretty hard.
“We’re hoping to finish in the middle of the table. We’re finding some different standards to last year.”
Cricket Victoria is set to finish running the competition at the end of this season.
Jenkinson said there needed to be a competition which has longer matches that fits in between Victorian Premier Cricket and social T20 cricket.
The Sharks’ other side plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association competition.
Jenkinson said her and the four coaches tried to keep it pretty simple.
“All through the program we want the girls to improve, have fun, get that mentorship and leadership, develop as women,” she said. “Winning is the fourth priority.
“It’s about positivity. We’re very much about the people.”
Jenkinson said they encourage any female who wants to play cricket to come down and try it out and see if they like it.
“You don’t have to have the gear and we’re happy to lend you everything you need to have a go.
“A lot of girls haven’t played before and they’ve only played in the backyard or in the street, not as much as the boys.”
Jenkinson said they started the program when some of the playing group was just 13 in juniors and have progressed through the ranks together,
She said starting together as juniors was the best way to find your feet in the sport.
“We do lose a number of players to premier cricket once they turn 15, but we have enough players to keep a sustainable program
“The more players playing the sport, the better.”
The Sharks have had five players named in the Marg Jennings Academy squad.
Jenkinson said it’s good to see players from across the west get their opportunity.
