Women’s game grows
THE growth of women’s cricket in Tasmania has seen the inclusion of two new clubs into the CTPL for the upcoming season.
Brighton will play in the women’s first grade competition for the first time, being a part of the Twenty20 roster. The Greater Northern Raiders will be included in both the T20 and Kookaburra Cup one-day competitions after the addition of the club in the men’s CTPL last season.
Brighton captain and coach Hannah Mann has had experience at Glenorchy and New Norfolk the past two seasons but has moved to the Eagles to develop her career.
“It’s a great club, everyone made me feel welcome from day one,” Mann said.
“This is huge for women’s cricket and it is fundamental to grow the game in more areas.
“If you look where women’s cricket was only five years ago everything has changed so much.”
The Kookaburra Cup will look different this season with it being split into two divisions. Clarence, Greater Northern, Kingborough, North Hobart and South Hobart Sandy Bay make up division one, while Glenorchy, Lindisfarne, New Town and University are in division two.
Tasmanian Tigers coach Salliann Briggs said the new Kookaburra Cup format will benefit female cricket in the state.
“The change in competition structure to two divisions will now help prepare our next best players to compete at national age group competitions and will help close the gap between club and WNCL cricket,” Briggs said.
“The addition of the Greater Northern team is an absolute must and we have a responsibility to make sure cricket is accessible for every female cricketer in the state.
“The North continues to produce our best cricketers so I’m excited to see who emerges this season.”
On Sunday the clubs play their first games with Greater Northern hosting Lindisfarne at the NTCA and Brighton taking on Glenorchy at Ferguson Park. In the round’s other games defending champions North Hobart are up against Clarence at the TCA, New Town plays Kingborough at the Twin Ovals and South Hobart Sandy Bay will play its first game under new coach Hollie Armitage when they take on University at Queenborough.
WOMEN’S cricket in Tasmania has received a huge boost with the inclusion of two new first-grade teams. Brighton will join the Twenty20 competition, while Greater Northern will field both T20 and Kookaburra Cup sides. And Brighton’s Montanna Arnold and captain-coach Hannah Mann (right) are raring to go.