Junior Girls' Competition
Background
In November 1996, the VWCA launched the "SunSmart Under 17 Girls Cricket Competition" with the aim of providing another level of competition for underage girls. The competition was played on Friday nights across 3 zones with 16 teams participating in the inaugural season.
The initial aim of the competition was to "encourage participation rather than win at all cost". This aim is still the ethos of the Junior Girls Competition today. The competition is still played on Friday nights.
In Season 2003/2004, the Under 17 girls competition was re-branded the "Junior Girls Cricket Competition" to reflect the average of age of the participants (14 years). Central venues were also introduced with all games played at the one venue. The competition was divided into four zones - North West (Fairbairn Park, Ascot Vale), South East (King George Reserve, East Bentleigh), Eastern (Donvale Reserve) and Southern (Dandenong Showgrounds). In 2006/07 there will be two zones. Click on the zone for more information. North West, South East, Northern
Games are played in a friendly and fun atmosphere and beginners are most welcome to play. The competition is open to all schools and clubs interested in having a junior girls team. If you would like to join a junior girls team or if your club or school would like to enter a team in the competition, please contact Kelly Applebee on Ph: (03) 9653 1181 or Email: vwca@cricketvictoria.com.au.
Information for Interested Clubs & Teams
The VWCA Junior Girls Cricket Competition is open to any cricket clubs or school-based teams. The competition provides a great opportunity for clubs looking to introduce females into their club structure or as a way of expanding their junior teams or as a stepping stone for introducing a senior women's team at the club. It also provides an opportunity for schools to provide an opportunity for their girls' cricket team to play in a structured on-going competition.
The Friday night competition commences in November each year (the season coincides with daylight savings) and breaks for the school holidays. The competition then recommences in late January/early February (coincides with the start of Term 1). There are generally 6 rounds before Christmas and 6 rounds after Christmas, plus finals.
All matches are played at a central venue. The twenty-over games commence at 5:30pm and usually finish around 7:45pm.
The rules are slightly modified to allow all players to bat and bowl on the night. The competition is participation based so that everyone is encouraged to learn and enjoy all aspects of the game. Games are played with teams of 6 to 10 players. Click here to download a copy of the rules (the rules are subject to change for season 2007/08).
Clubs and schools are required to provide all equipment and balls (players wear full cricket equipment and play with 142g leather balls on synthetic pitches). Teams also require a minimum of one adult accompanying the team every match to assist with the team (two people are recommended). The adult can be a parent, club member, teacher or volunteer. The team must provide a competent umpire for all matches. Equipment Grants are avialable through the VWCA. Please contact the Women's Club Administrator for more details.
Click here to download an affiliation form for season 2007/08. This is in a Word format so you can just type in and email it back!
Information for Interested Players
Players must be between the ages of 12 and 16 years as of 1st September of each season. Traditionally players joining the competition have either never played competitive cricket before or have played in junior boys cricket competitions (normally from Under 12s - Under 14s). Beginners are encouraged to play in the competition. The rules are structured so that the better players are matched against each other and the weaker players are matched up. Players are encouraged to learn all aspects of the game and thus the rules are modified to allow everyone to bat and bowl on the night.
The VWCA Junior Girls Competition has provided the stepping stone for a number of junior and senior state representatives, either as their introduction into cricket or as a way of getting into the VWCA (women's) competition. Current Victoria Spirit players Emma Inglis and Rachael Haynes both started their cricketing careers in the Junior Girls Competition.
If you are interested in playing in the Junior Girls Competition, you can either contact your local team directly or contact the Women's Club Administrator for more information and details about the competition and your nearest teams.
Other Junior Girls Cricket Competitions
The North West Cricket Association (NWCA) conducts an Under 14 girls competition for girls aged 10 to 13 in the North West metropolitan areas. Games are played on Friday nights 5:15pm - 7:00pm. Rules are modified so that everyone gets to bat, bowl and field. Games are played with softer balls and do not require a full-length cricket pitch. It is a home and away competition and is open to any clubs in the North West area (ie. don't necessarily need to be affiliated with the NWCA). The season commences late October.
Girls are encouraged to play with their local Under 12 or Under 14 boys team if a Cric Hit program or Under 14 girls competition do not exist in their area. The Cricket Australia Junior Cricket Policy recommends that girls be allowed to play two years below their age (eg. 14 year old girls can play in the Under 12 competition). Check with your local cricket association for their policy on girls playing in boys competitions.
Competition and program venues and clubs are subject to change each season so please contact Cricket Victoria prior to the commencement of the season for up to date information and additional girls cricket programs.
Contact
For more details, contact the Women's Club Administrator at Cricket Victoria on Email: vwca@cricketvictoria.com.au or Ph: (03) 9653 1181.
