Born To Play Indoor Competition

To help support the concept, Australian representatives Briony Polkinghorne and Nicole Martin, along with Victorian players Kerry Johnson, Kate Matonia, Liz Pierce, Sarah Cavanagh and Jess Surace will be showcased during a roadshow tournament conducted across six venues, providing junior participants with giveaways, the opportunity to make new friends and professional coaching.

Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit captain Emma Inglis and star batsman Elyse Villani will also be present at the sessions.

With more than a decade passing since the last time a Superleague women’s competition was played at any Victorian Indoor Centre, the Born To Play concept was developed following a resurgence of interest in the community.

Martin, who doubles as Cricket Victoria’s Indoor Cricket Participation Officer, said the Born To Play initiative was the perfect platform to introduce young players to the sport.

“We’re looking forward to the Born To Play competition commencing as it’s a great format to not only develop game sense for juniors but to also increase their skill level as we approach the start of the cricket season,” Martin said.

“Anytime that we can increase the opportunities for women, be it juniors or seniors, is a positive step and it will also widen our talent identification pool with the opportunity for players out there to represent Victoria if they’re good enough.

“Most importantly, however, the concept is all about enjoying yourself and having fun because we’re all Born To Play.”

The Born To Play competition will be staged on Sunday mornings from 9am.

The cost for each senior participant for the season is $100, while a junior participant pays $10 per game inclusive of court, equipment, ball and uniform hire, as well as umpire fees.

The fixtures are:

• Sunday, August 19 – Melton Indoor Sports Stadium, 10 Reserve Road, Melton
• Sunday, August 26 – Croydon Indoor Sports Centre, 14 Gatwick Drive, Bayswater North
• Sunday, September 2 – Frankston Indoor Sports, 81 Hartnett Drive, Frankston
• Sunday, September 16 – Werribee Indoor Sports Centre, 13 Riverside Avenue, Werribee
• Sunday, September 23 – Oakleigh Indoor Sports Centre, 4 Railway Avenue, Oakleigh
• Sunday, September 30 – Northcote Indoor Sports, 338 Mansfield Street, Thornbury

The format for each session is:

• 9:00 – 9.15am – Junior registration
• 9.15 – 10.30am – Junior games
• 10.30- 11.45am – First senior games
• 11.45am- 1.00pm – Second senior game

Click here for an online Born To Play Ladies and Junior Girls Indoor Cricket Competition registration form.