Cricket Australia predicting grass roots cricket numbers will rise this summer as a result of COVID-19
While most other sports are bracing for a drop in participation due to the coronavirus, Cricket Australia is optimistic the opposite will occur at local cricket clubs this summer – particularly in women’s ranks.
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Cricket is confident it can defy the COVID-19 uncertainty stalking its international schedule and actually boost grass roots numbers this summer.
As most organised sports around the country suffer a massive downturn in junior registration, cricket has recorded a 3.8 per cent increase in registered participation in its annual national census, and hopes that lift will only increase, particularly in the girls’ ranks, on the back of the women’s World Cup.
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Tennis has experienced a renaissance in court bookings during the coronavirus crisis, motivated by Australians wanting to get outdoors and exercise, and cricket is hopeful of riding a similar wave once the new season starts as another socially distanced sport.
“I’m optimistic. I hope it’ll be boosted and there is some evidence around that suggests that might be the case,” Cricket Australia’s community cricket boss, Belinda Clark, said.
“Cricket is a bit like tennis, you can be socially distant playing cricket, it’s not like the football codes. I think we’re in a good position there.
“We’ve had competitions already playing who have managed to cope with the guidelines and the restrictions in place.
“All the indicators are suggesting that mum and dad actually want their kids back out and playing and I think adults want to get back to their social norms as well.
“We’re reasonably optimistic, but not withstanding there are parts of the country including the one I’m sitting in (Melbourne) that are under a bit more duress than others at the moment.”
Cricket’s boost in registration comes after three years of decline, while the game is also claiming there are more than one million school kids playing cricket across the country in the school yard.
However, Cricket Australia’s focus has turned to concentrating on registered participation, people choosing to play cricket in competitions and programs outside of school hours.
Female participation has grown to 76,400 – an 11 per cent increase year on year – and it’s hoped that’s only the tip of the iceberg following the boom success of the women’s World Cup which culminated in 86,000 fans at the MCG for the final.
Cricket Australia has found that the increased numbers in junior competitions means more and more girls are able to play against girls their own age.
“I think if anything, the World Cup provides a green light for kids who are interested, for it to be somewhat normal for girls to pick up a bat and ball,” Clark said.
“That experience, I’ll never forget it in my lifetime, but (it was) just absolutely amazing. 86,000 people watching a game of cricket played by women on the MCG, it was amazing.
“I think it’ll have a big impact, but it’s a generational type shift.
“I think we’ve gone from six per cent total participation for girls some four years ago and now it’s up just over 11 per cent.
“It’s taken lot of hard work to get that doubled and we’re not finished.
“We’re committed to making sure that continues to grow and there will be a point in time we look back on and say that World Cup was a catalyst to get from 11 per cent to somewhere up near 20-25 per cent.”
‘World class’: Perry anoints teen prodigy
— Jocelyn Airth
Seven years ago, Hayley Silver-Holmes was taking selfies with Australian cricket star Ellyse Perry.
Now, the kid from Bowen Mountain is getting ready to play her third WBBL season alongside her old sporting idol at the Sydney Sixers.
But even today, Silver-Holmes admitted that she can’t believe she gets to call Perry a teammate.
“I’ve idolised her since I started (playing cricket), the person she is, how great of a sportswoman she is, I’ve always wanted to be like her, to play with her is something special,” Silver-Holmes said.
Perry said that Silver-Holmes has impressed her since she debuted for the Sixers as a 15-year-old back in 2018.
“She’s an incredibly talented cricketer who possesses a level of maturity and understanding about her bowling that is beyond her years,” Perry said.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity for our club and Cricket NSW to play a continued role in Hayley’s development. She has the potential to be a world class T20 bowler.”
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In her first two WBBL seasons, Silver-Holmes played 28 matches and claimed nine wickets.
Last year, the 16-year-old became the second youngest NSW Breaker to debut in the Women’s National Cricket League.
Silver-Holmes said she is excited to continue developing her game under the guidance of Perry and the Sixers.
“It’s unreal to be playing, getting signed for my third and fourth season, it’s an exciting time for women’s cricket coming up and I’m glad to be part of it” Silver-Holmes said.
After watching her former teammate 18-year-old Annabel Sutherland debut for Australia during this year’s T20I tri-series, Silver-Holmes said she is determined to take her game to another level this summer.
“I played with Annabel in South Africa for the Under 19s … seeing her play in the Aussie team really inspires young girls like myself and Stella (Campbell) to want to get there too” Silver-Holmes said.
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