Women hit the field

Tash Bogovac, Courtney Brown and Rebecca Phelan may be three members of a new Wollongong women's cricket side.

YOUNG women across Wollongong and the Northern Suburbs are stepping up to the pitch and claiming a more prominent place for themselves on the sporting field.

They may not be the gender most identified with loving the game, but Wollongong District Cricket Club President Jason Welsh said there are plenty of women in Wollongong who love cricket as much as the blokes, and they need an opportunity to play.

Wollongong District Cricket Club is looking for women to become members of a new Wollongong-based side to enter the Women's Cricket South Coast Competition for the upcoming season.

Mr Welsh said the new team will give local women an opportunity to get involved in the sport.

“There needs to be some club around (running a women's team) to make sure there's a opportunity for women out there if they do want to play,” Mr Welsh said.

Mr Welsh said a love of cricket isn't dependent on gender.

“I've got wife and I've got a daughter so I know there's a lot (of women) out there who it's not their cup of tea but there are plenty of women out there who love it as much as the guys do,” he said.

Fifteen-year-old Tash Bogovac from Figtree is an example of the latter.

In previous years she has played with the Oak Flats women's team, but is considering switching to the Wollongong side if it gets up and running.

She said having a Wollongong team in the competition would mean the other teams wouldn't have to play each other so often, and that she knows of a lot of female cricket players who live in Wollongong who go to Sydney to play in a larger competition.

The keen all-rounder said she knows 'heaps of girls' who love cricket, but have never considered playing or just didn't know there was a local comp for women.

The new side's home ground would be North Dalton Park in Fairy Meadow.

Spokespeople from a number of local schools told the Wollongong and Northern Leader they had noticed more girls getting involved in team sports and showing more willingness to compete.

For information on the new women’s cricket side call 4272 6783 or 0411 610545.