WARRNAMBOOL and District Cricket Association chairman Gordon McLeod says this Sunday's inter-association match against Hamilton and District showcases the improvement in south-west girls cricket.
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The WDCA will host neighbouring cricket association the HDCA for under 14 and under 17 games at Davidson Oval.
The under 14s start the day at 10.30am with a modified 24-over turf wicket match before a lunch break.
After the break the under 17 girls will take to the field in a twenty20 match.
Allansford girls coach Simon Rea will lead the under 14 side, while Nestles mentor Brooke Herbertson will coach the under 17 girls.
McLeod said the return of the inter-association contest for a second consecutive year was a good sign female cricket was heading in a positive direction.
"It’s something girls' cricket hasn't had. They haven’t had a country week to strive for some time and now we are advancing in that area with an inter-association match," he said. "To finish season off playing another association is something important for the girls."
McLeod said the day was a way to highlight how much the female side of the game had evolved after the second season of under 17s and first year of under 14s.
"It's a showcase Sunday for girls' cricket for people to see the standard has gone up and improved so much from last year," he said.
"The standard is impressive and we want to build on that and encourage more girls to play next season.
"This certainly gives them a chance to play against ones of similar standard. It also shows girls and the public that girls' cricket and the way they play is going forward."
Eight girls across the two selected WDCA teams are Western Waves players. Stephanie Rae, Grace Schrama and Tess Worrall feature in the under 14 side, while Charlotte Poyner, Grace Farrer, Hannah Rooke, Heidi Stansfield and Jorja Couch are selected in the under 17s.
Under 14: Stephanie Rae, Grace Schrama (Allansford), Tanzania Carter, Emily Nesbit (East Warrnambool), Mary McLean, Lily Sanderson (West Warrnambool), Chelsea McCosh (Panmure), Marnie Beks (Russells Creek), Tess Worrall (Brierly-Christ Church), Eve Covey (Port Fairy), Alice Cann (Nestles), Chelsea O’Leary (Woodford).
Under 17: Grace Farrer (Woodford, Captain), Ella Couch, Ruby Couch (Nestles), Heidi Stansfield, Ingrid Bellman, Sophie Walsh (Nirranda), Jorja Couch, Chloe McKenzie (West Warrnambool), Alyssa Maher (Port Fairy), Charlotte Van Der Starre (Russells Creek), Hannah Rooke, Charlotte Poyner (Brierly-Christ Church).
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