Nyxons go into bat for women’s cricket

Women’s cricket in Nelson has got a new team with a new name in 2019.

For the first time, Nelson Cricket will boast a senior representative women’s team to go along with the men.

At the Nelson Cricket season launch on Tuesday night, the Nelson Nyxons were unveiled as the new brand for women’s cricket in the region.

Chosen by the playing group for the 2019 season, the Nyxons are named after the Greek goddess Nyx, the winged goddess of the night.

Team captain Kate Stiven said the Nyxons was a sister to the men’s Griffin mascot.

‘‘We tried to tie it in with the Griffin, being a mythological kind of thing as well. Basically for us it represents something beautiful and powerful.’’

The team will compete in the Central Districts regional T20 tournament in Levin in February, along with a selection of friendly fixtures.

The players will also have access to the same practice facilities and coaching team as the Nelson men.

Stiven said while a Nelson team was put together last year to compete in one tournament, this was the first time they had been given the same resources as the men’s team.

‘‘There’s more of a pathway in the women’s game now, especially for young girls coming through, they have something to strive for,’’ Stiven said.

‘‘Besides the actual game performances, we want to create a really good environment to be part of.’’

Nelson Cricket coaching manager Ryan Edwards said a longterm plan was being set up for the success of the Nyxons.

‘‘We may have missed the boat a little bit to get many more fixtures this year, but the idea was always to develop the brand and identity.

‘‘This year’s game results are almost irrelevant, what we’re doing is putting some key things in place to ensure in following years there’s the structure and funding that these girls deserve.’’

A new position has also been appointed to help the development of the women’s game, with Claudia Green being appointed as Nelson Cricket’s female cricket development officer.

General manager David Leonard said the role would involve bringing more girls into the sport at the grass roots level, as well as supporting the Nyxons’ representative teams.

Nelson Cricket will be holding a women’s day at Saxton Oval on Sunday October 14 from 10.30am2.30pm, for players interested in learning about the game. White Fern Hannah Rowe and Black Sticks Olympic Hockey representative Anita McLaren will be helping out on the day. For more information contact Ben Eder at ops@nelsoncricket.org.nz

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF Anna Gaging, left, Kate Gaging and Kate Stiven are members of the newly-formed Nelson Nyxons women’s cricket team.