MUM’S A KEEPER, SONS SHINING
HIGHTON cricketer Jane Burch will be hoping a win in this weekend’s Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition grand final will be the first of two premiership medallions for the family.
Burch’s Highton will meet Collendina in the South division decider on Sunday. Her son Surry plays in an under-13 semi-final this weekend for the chance to progress to the final game of the season, and younger son Will had his final under-11 match on Friday night.
Burch said it would be a thrill if both she and Surry could finish with grand final success.
“With our women’s team improving so much and being in a final as well, that would be fantastic to both taste success,” she said.
“Perhaps the Highton women might be able to look at moving up and fielding a team in Division 1 next year.
“If you have a long-term plan, that’s probably one thing we’ve been considering as a group — being able to step it up another notch.”
Burch said she loved cricket and football growing up but stopped playing when she wasn’t allowed.
The wicketkeeper-batter has since taken up both codes at McDonald Reserve alongside her boys.
“Footy and cricket I absolutely loved but that was well back before women were playing those two sports,” she said.
“Being back on the sidelines watching the kids or kicking the footy with them, I thought, ‘I really love it’ so I gave that a go and same with the cricket.”
The North division grand final will be played between Ballarat Navy and Lethbridge Gold.