Twilight Women’s Cricket League opens

The fun, eight-a-side competition will feature 90 minute matches, starting at 6pm on weekday evenings, and has been designed to cater for women who can’t commit to a full day’s cricket on the weekend and associated training sessions.

Teams can be made up of players of all standards, from those wanting a mid-week hit, to those wishing to return to the game after some time away, and those with no previous cricket experience.

The competitions, which will be run on smaller suburban grounds with synthetic pitches, will be operated by Cricket NSW, with all equipment, ground set up, umpires and scoring provided, meaning teams just need to turn up and play.

Cricket NSW’s Female Engagement and D&I Manager, Julie Stafford, said the new innovative competition would fill a gap for women wanting to enjoy a short, active, weekday activity with friends.

“We know a lot of women can’t dedicate themselves to playing on the weekend or playing for three or four hours so we have designed a game that takes just 90 minutes and everything is supplied,” Stafford said.

“All the equipment is supplied and there’s no need for helmets, pads or an elaborate uniform. The ball is a softer version of a normal cricket ball.

“Players can wear whatever they’d normally wear to the gym or going for a run and then get a team shirt.

“Matches will be played at the same venue every week too so there’s no need to travel to away matches.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for women to play our great game.”

Initially the competitions will launch in Sydney, starting in October, with the venues to be confirmed, but the areas will be dictated by interest levels.

“We have some ideas on where we will play the matches but we really want to go to where the interest is,” Stafford said.

“If there are a bunch of women or teams that want to play in the Inner West, or in Manly, or around Parramatta and Blacktown, we will look to set up a league there.”

To register your interest, or find out more about the Twilight Women’s Cricket League, go to www.twilightwomenscricket.com.