Fabila inspiring next gen of cricketing girls
SHE has played Indoor Cricket for Queensland and Australia, now Paula Fabila is coaching the stars of tomorrow.
Fabila grew up in the era when indoor cricket was the “hype sport”, and she would go along to the indoor centre and watch cricket games.
Eventually when she was of age, Fabila started training with the rep teams and eventually played junior indoor cricket, being one of only two girls who played.
“The teams were picked the old schoolyard way where captains picked in turn and I was always one of the last to get picked,” Fabila said.
“As I got better, I was getting picked earlier in the team selections,
“This motivated me to get better to be picked earlier and doing this gave me the confidence to keep playing in boys comps until I moved to Queensland.”
Fabila coaches Norths juniors, Northern Flames and is captain of the Norths seniors.
In 2016, Fabila was picked to represent the over-35 Australian Indoor Cricket team that went to Birmingham.
Australia won seven out of nine games before losing to South Africa in the final by eight runs.
“I was going through so many emotions when I got selected to play,” Fabila said.
“Australia was the pinnacle for me, travelling overseas to play the game you love.
“Although you have reached the ultimate goal you are still learning and gaining new skills, coaching drills, game tactics and new ways to look after yourself before, during and after tournaments, When you are standing together with your fellow Australian teammates and the national anthem plays, you realise you are among the best and it just gets you pumped and proud to be in the green and gold.”
Fabila now is coaching the young females coming through as the next generation of stars.
Women’s junior cricket focuses on girls just having fun and developing skills and growing the game.
“Seeing more televised games of women’s cricket has without a doubt helped increase numbers at my club,” Fabila said.
“Having national and international sides playing in our home town too has contributed to getting girls engaged.
“The more girls you have at your club, the more it attracts other girls to want to sign up and play.”
The two-time premiership player with Norths believes that cricket is a great sport for women of any age to play.
Not just in need of players, the game is also looking for coaches, scorers, umpires and there are many other ways to get involved with helping women’s cricket.
“Contact your local club, cricket is easy, especially when you have seven other girls that will back you up and pick you up,” Fabila said.
“It usually takes one season for the girls to get the hang of it.
“The girls play in the boys comp and this is beneficial for their development.
“We do have programs running for players as young as six and out competition is based on ability before age.”