Melton Centrals women’s cricket program is back up and running this season in a major win for the club.
Having had a side for a number of years, Centrals didn’t have the numbers last season and had to pull the plug.
But with a number of new players and the number of junior girls at the club increasing, Centrals is fielding a side in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league.
Coach Kim Gasior said it was exciting to have a team again. She had joined the club the season before it didn’t have a team.
“We didn’t have enough players last season but were hoping to get a side up and running this year, which we have,” she said.
“It’s a little bit of a different format with 20 overs.
“The girls are mainly new and we’ve got some junior girls playing with us.”
Gasior said it was exciting to see so many new players who were really keen to learn.
She said while they were yet to win a game, there had been improvement from the first training session.
“There’s been improvement each game, week to week,” he said. “Even in the nets at training it helps with improvement.
“It’s a testament to the girls. They’re enjoying it and hanging out with each other and get excited to learn skills.”
Gasior said the T20 competition was a good way for the new players to learn the what the game was like.
They’ve been focused on giving everyone a go.
Gasior said while they would like to get a win on the board this season, this season was more than just about that.
The competition has split into two, with Centrals in the B competition with two other new sides and Lancefield’s second side.
“I’m excited for each wicket we get and each run we get, that is a win,” she said.
“We don’t have a heavy focus on winning, it’s about the skills improving each week anga getting better, that is a win.
“It would be nice to get a win, but that’s not the main focus. We’re happy to have a women’s team put together.”
Gasior said they were always looking for more players to get involved.
As well as having a women’s side, the club has three girls only sides for the first time in a long time in positive signs for the future.
Gasior said there were a good bunch of girls coming through and they were the face of female cricket at Melton Centrals.
There were no GDCA women’s games on the weekend.
Meanwhile, the A competition has been restricted with no Darley included.
The Lions forfeited their first three games.
On social media, the Lions said they were still looking for players for this season.
