Barwon Heads’ Katrina Paton-Hodges on Seagulls’ A-grade cricket flag, round 7 hat-trick and rise of women’s sport
A Barwon Head’s mum-of-two put a pesky injury to one side to win her third cricket flag in five seasons. Taking up the sport in her 40s, she reveals what drives her playing aspirations.
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A broken finger was never going to stop Barwon Heads’ Kat Paton-Hodges from taking to the field in her club’s breakthrough A-grade flag.
Soaking up Sunday’s 22-run win against Geelong City Sharks, it would mark Paton-Hodges’ third flag in five years – her two previous premierships coming at Ocean Grove.
It’s a resume many would dream of having, especially considering the 46-year-old mum-of-two only picked up the game five years ago with no background in the sport.
“It’s very special, I’m getting a little bit older now, and it’s not going to come around very often so just wanted to make the most of it and be there with the team,” Paton-Hodges said of Sunday’s premiership.
“It’s been a fantastic team to play with,” she said.
“It’s great to be a bit of a role model for my two little kids.”
It was at a game of milo cricket for her youngest daughter, Paton-Hodges, among a group of mums, was encouraged to have a hit.
“Somehow that’s ended up in five years of cricket and three flags, pretty happy with that result,” she said.
Crossing to the Seagulls last year to play in their inaugural women’s team, Paton-Hodges – known fondly around the group as ‘mum’ due to the fact her daughters Zoe, 12, and Maddi, 10, often yell mum from the sidelines – has proven a consistent bowler (eight wickets at 17.25) for coach Steph Theodore to call upon.
A hat-trick against South Barwon in round 7 this year was a highlight, with Paton-Hodges crediting the club’s inclusive nature for older players and coaching for her continual improvement as a player.
“(I) just love be able to contribute to the team, even us old ones, we can still get out there, get on the field and make an impact and help a team get to a flag,” she said.
“It’s great to see them (Barwon Heads) get behind all players, but especially women.
“It so good sport for women is getting more and more popular all the time.”
Fresh off a flag, Paton-Hodges said she’d look to play as long as she could, and while the chance to win more flags is arguably a strong motivator, it’s not the only thing which will get her back to Barwon Heads next season, highlighting the camaraderie, social side and mental health benefit around the game.
“If you want to give it a go, just get out there and try,” she said.
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Originally published as Barwon Heads’ Katrina Paton-Hodges on Seagulls’ A-grade cricket flag, round 7 hat-trick and rise of women’s sport
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