Play of the Weekend: Former baseballer Renee Straumietis hits WBBL cricket for six

IMAGINE picking up a piece of sporting equipment for the first time seriously then just a month later earning a rookie training contract in one of the biggest women’s sporting leagues in the country.

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IMAGINE picking up a piece of sporting equipment for the first time seriously then just a month later earning a rookie training contract in one of the biggest women’s sporting leagues in the country.

That’s what former baseballer Renee Straumietis has done and it’s why she’s earned Swoop Play of the Weekend.

SYDNEY THUNDER COACH STAYS PUT

CAPTAIN BACK FOR SOUTHERN STARS

Baseball star Renee Straumietis has secured a Sixers contract.

The former baseballer had never played cricket until four weeks ago but has still secured a Training contract with the Sydney Sixers ahead of the women’s Big Bash League.

Straumietis collected one of two of the first ever contracts awarded at WBBL Futurestars trials on Saturday.

NEW FUNDS FOR CRICKET

The other has gone to former tennis Laura Kent who has followed in the footsteps of Ash Barty in making a successful early transition from her sport to tennis.

Renee Straumietia and Laura Kent set to make a mark in the WBBL.

Barty played for Brisbane Heat last season before deciding to return to cricket.

Kent will now join the Thunder ahead of the WBBL season.

Straumietis joins the likes of netballer Madi Robinson, Matildas captain Lisa De Vanna, Opals and WNBA star Penny Taylor, paddler Jessica Fox, Olympic track cyclist Anna Meares and equestrian Edwina Tops-Alexander as a winner of a Swoop Play of the Day, Play of the Week or Play of the Weekend.