Girls’ country week on the radar as Geraldton sends first girls’ team to Perth for cricket tournament

Geraldton has sent its first junior representative girls’ team to a two-day cricketing tournament in Perth, coinciding with this week’s junior country week, hoping to spark interest in female participation in the game. Two regional cricket boards — Bunbury and Geraldton — have teamed up to create the event, with Cathy Allen of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association contacting Geraldton Junior Cricket Association to be involved in this week’s tournament. While junior country week is mixed, female participation is lacking, with girls outnumbered by male peers. This marks the first time either association will send a girls-only team for a junior representative event. Geraldton Junior Cricket Association board member Jess Wake said they jumped at the opportunity when contacted about the event in December. “We’re really trying to push girls’ cricket in Geraldton, so we thought if there was a tournament, we’ll jump on board,” she said. “The boys play in junior country week every year, but there’s no girls’ competition. “Bunbury, with the support of us and hopefully some other country associations in the future, will get on board to get a girls’ section up and running.” The event, supported by WA Cricket’s women and girls participation team, has Perth clubs like Whitfords, Melville, Subiaco-Floreat, North Beach Carine and Wanneroo Districts also participating, with no other regional sides involved yet. Geraldton will be coached by Kylie Bremner, whose 10-year-old daughter Charli was also named in the squad, and managed by Gemma Mann. Bremner is no stranger to representative duties, having played in women’s country week and WA in national competitions. She says she’s noticed growth in the women’s game and wants girls to continue picking up the sport. “I think its becoming really huge, which is amazing — that’s what we want. We want the girls to come forward and start playing cricket. I think its evolved a lot,” Bremner said. “I’m so glad that these girls are coming forward in cricket. That’s the main thing. We want all these girls to start playing cricket.” Bremner said having an event like this was “huge” for young girls like her daughter. “Charli’s very, very excited. She’s the youngest out of all the girls,” she said. “She comes to (women’s) country week cricket with us, so this is a big step for her.” Wake said having girls’ country week would help increase female participation, which was growing steadily, but not quite at the point where it had the numbers for a standalone local competition, particularly in the older age groups. “It would give them something to look forward to and make them feel like there is a pathway for them,” she said. “We do have some girls who are really competitive and want to work at their cricket, so it gives them that opportunity. “Country week is also about participation and involvement, so having something where girls can come together, go to Perth, have a good time, and get some different experiences is a good thing.” The event is running from January 6-7.