Olivia bowls rivals over to be first lady of senior sides
“We pick players on merit and potential and she has both”
ASCHOO L G I R L has become the first female player to make the senior teams at one of the borough’s most prestigious cricket clubs.
With the Men’s World Cup in full swing in England this month, cricket fever has gripped the country’s sports fans, but the game has always been a big part of Olivia Blomley’s life - with her grandad, dad, and older brother having all been keen players.
Both her brother Joseph and dad Mick have donned the whites for Haslingden Cricket Club, and now Olivia takes to the field alongside her 21- year- old brother, who also plays in the second XI.
The All Saints Catholic High pupil is understood to be the first girl to represent the 12- time Lancashire League champions’ senior third team.
Steve Hunsley, the Bentgate club’s senior chairman, said Olivia is tipped to be a talented bowling prospect.
He said: “Olivia has been playing at the club for a few years now and has progressed through the junior age ranges, and has got to the point where she’s considered for senior cricket.
“We pick players on merit and potential, and she has both.
“She’s the first girl at Haslingden to join the senior teams.
“Olivia is quite a talent - her bowling is her strong suit.”
Olivia, who lives in Haslingden with her family, currently plays open-age cricket, meaning ages and genders vary depending on which team she is up against.
Her mum Marie Blomley said Olivia started training when she was aged seven, the same age as her brother.
She said: “They both really enjoyed it.
“Olivia worked hard to go up through the different groups to senior cricket.”
Olivia said she was “really happy” to have made the senior teams at such a young age.
She said: “I have been thinking about it a lot. “I feel quite privileged. “My dad has played for the team and I play with my brother now as well.
“It was when I was in the under- 11s that I started to really enjoy it and get into it.
“The reason I started to enjoy cricket more when I was 11 was because I understood the game better and what it meant to be part of a team.
“I feel proud to be the first female to represent the club in the senior teams and would love more girls to think about joining their local clubs.”