THREE OF THE BEST: CYMS female cricket leaders (from left) Stacey Cornish, Pip Elmes and Jo Ferguson.
Orange CYMS Cricket Club's female cricket leaders are ready and waiting for the 2024-25 women's season, which will commence on Friday night.
The club will once again have five teams in the Orange District Cricket Association's Friday night social league, and will also enter at least one team in the newly established women's T20 competition.
At the helm of the green and gold charge are women's club captain Jo Ferguson and female cricket sub-committee members Stacey Cornish and Pip Elmes. It will be the third season for all three players in CYMS colours.
"I'm excited for CYMS to field another five teams this season and with it we welcome a couple of new captains to the leadership team," said Jo who, along with Pip, Kylie Garvin, Charlotte Thompson and Rachel Sewell, will skipper a Friday night team.
"I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the social competition in Orange as an opportunity for women of all ages to get involved in cricket."
Stacey agreed it was encouraging to not only see so many returning players "but also some keen new faces joining the club. It’s exciting to see the club numbers growing."
Pip said the 2024-25 season promised to be "the best one yet".
"Our social competition is a great way to showcase the incredible talent and passion that women bring to the game as well as the amazing skill within our region. I’m looking forward to seeing our sport grow," she said.
The introduction in 2024-25 of a club-based T20 competition - to be played on Sundays and with close to full match conditions - is the most eagerly-anticipated change to the women's program this season.
It has been introduced on the back of demand from social players last season who, having played a couple of mixed-team hard ball games in 2023-24, are keen to advance their skills.
Jo said it was a welcome addition that will "highlight the best of the best in the women's comp across clubs".
OMG - SCG: Stacey Cornish (left) and CYMS clubmate Addie Johnson will play at the Sydney Cricket Ground next month.
Stacey is no stranger to more serious cricket, having been selected to represent Western Zone in the recent NSW Country Plan B Bash - one of the highest levels of cricket for regional female players.
She believes the competitive format would provide an avenue for many of the social league players to test and improve their skills.
"I am looking forward to the introduction of a permanent hard ball competition for those women who want to participate and experience a different format to showcase their skills."
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