THE Wairarapa Cricket Association is scouring the district and its surrounds to see how many past female cricketers can be enticed back into the game at the senior level.
Summer might be finished but planning for the 2016-17 season is well under way, with one of the top priorities being the re-establishment of a senior women's squad to compete in the Central Districts competition starting in November.
In the season just completed, Wairarapa had junior girls' sides at under-13, under-15 and under-18 levels, who all competed with success at various points. The under-18 side in particular were the break-out stars, finishing second on debut at the Central Districts under-18 tournament in Whanganui. With increasing numbers playing the game, and on-field success, the establishment of a senior women's team to complement these junior sides was the next logical step.
"Our playing and development success at the junior level is obviously home-grown and we want to take this same philosophy into re-establishing a senior women's side," says WCA development manager Simon Roseingrave. "We are hamstrung slightly by not having a local senior women's playing structure, but we also know that over the past one to 15 years there have been a number of women who have played for local junior representative teams, first XI college sides or the Wairarapa women's side the last time it existed. We are hoping that their love for the game hasn't diminished and they will be keen to get back into some competitive cricket".
This team will add an important step to the WCA's player pathway, and provide opportunity for Wairarapa female cricketers at all levels, as the province fully aligns to Central Districts and New Zealand Cricket structures. In fact, the presence of the under-13 representative side means that only Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay will be able to field four separate rep teams next season, and Roseingrave is keen to see a local tournament at that age group in January 2017.
For now though, the major goal is to test the waters in terms of senior player numbers. Recent Central Districts Hind, Dutch international and current Chanel College teacher, Esther Lanser, is at the forefront of recruitment.
She will also be involved in both a playing capacity and as part of the management/selection group in some shape or form. Lanser is the CD under-15 coach and sees the benefits of playing with Wairarapa girls she has also coached at the major association level as immense and is looking forward to the opportunities this will create.
"Esther has been a first-class player and that sort of experience is invaluable when most players will be entering the unknown. She also has excellent contacts with ex-players and we are hoping this will start to establish a base. If we can combine this with the strong core group of under-18 girls coming through we will be able to put some talent and promise on the field," says Roseingrave. "We are realistic though, knowing that we will be up against some well-established, experienced and highly-skilled teams."
Some ex-players may be concerned about ring-rustiness but Roseingrave and Lanser hope this will not be a barrier to getting back into the sport. The WCA are looking to establish a squad of at least 16 players and will have a pre-season designed to get players back up to speed and enjoying the environment. It is hoped a couple of fixtures, against either college boys' colts sides or girls' 1st XIs will be used as on-field preparation before the serious fixtures begin.
Part of the WCA female strategic plan in the medium term is to re-establish a senior women's structure around club participation. If there is enough interest around the squad this may be closer than previously thought.
Roseingrave said those who may now be based in Wellington, Palmerston North or even Hawke's Bay are more than welcome to make contact.
An informal meeting of prospective players will be held at Sport Wellington Wairarapa on Chapel St on Tuesday, May 31, at 5.30pm.
Indications of interest or queries can also be sent through to Roseingrave at any time to development@wairarapacricket.co.nz or by phoning 0274 956884.