Anna Lanning Shield

In conjunction with Cricket Victoria (CV), the ECA initiated the new competition to help strengthen the pathway for females in the region.

“It’s about us (ECA) being able to provide cricket to the widest range of people possible,” ECA Junior Chairman Richard Barker said.

“We already provide cricket for males aged between 10 and 60, so to expand into a junior girls competition makes sense.”

Aimed at 10 to 15-year-olds, the Shield will help bridge the gap for female participation opportunities between MILO T20 Blast and Bartercard Premier Cricket.

“Once girls complete MILO T20 Blast in the region, they can either play in the boy’s league or they drop off until they can play at Premier level,” CV’s Chris Cunningham said.

“Hopefully, through the Anna Lanning Shield, we can avoid these trends by providing girls with an all-girls junior competition.”

Seven years ago, Box Hill Cricket Club implemented the first structured opportunity for girls to play cricket in an all-girls environment, with their under-14 team.

Box Hill coach Alan Carter noted that this initative is the next progression for female cricket in the region and that it would help develop grassroots cricket.

“It’s exciting to see women’s cricket grow in our region,” Carter said.

“I hope that the girls will first and foremost have fun and have something to look forward to every week and then hopefully they will enjoy this new platform to develop their skills while growing their love of the game.

“Having the competition named after Anna Lanning is also great because it will help create a connection and it will show the girls what’s possible in this sport.

“Anna is a very good young player who has represented her state and is an outstanding leader at our club.”

With five clubs – Boroondara, Clifton Hill, Edinburgh, Mont Albert and Trinity Wilson- already participating in the competition, the ECA and CV is hoping to recruit more girls as the program unfolds.

“It’s great that these clubs have come on board and that we are providing girls with an opportunity to play cricket with their own peer group and age group,” Barker said.

“Hopefully we can encourage more people to get involved.”

The eight week Anna Lanning Shield begins on Wednesday with the entire fixture being played at Hislop Park in Balwyn North from 5pm.

To get involved, email emus@cricketvictoria.com.au