North Geelong women’s cricketer Jordyn Stewart in the running to become the club’s second Renegades Recruit

A North Geelong foundation cricketer has jumped into the deep end of a vast talent pool after her father signed her up for a statewide search for the “next best” player.

After already having a club best and fairest award named after her, North Geelong foundation women’s cricketer Jordyn Stewart was perhaps looking for a fresh challenge this off-season.

And father Mark, a former gridiron player for South Australia, was two steps ahead of his 20-year-old all-rounder daughter, signing her up for the latest edition of the Renegades Recruit.

With a particular focus on finding the “next best” talent, the winner will have the chance to train with the Renegades’ WBBL squad.

Newcomb & District cricketer Cam Egan is also in the running for the men’s edition.

If Stewart is successful in the statewide talent search across Premier and community clubs, she would be the second winner from the Magpies after Tom Mathieson in 2021.

Last year’s top three finalist, Geelong City cricketer Paris Bowdler, also made her debut for the Renegades last summer.

Jordyn Stewart with St Josephs player Caitlin Burnett before the women’s A Grade grand final in 2022/23. Picture: David Smith.

Stewart, a receptionist in a local tattoo shop who started her cricket journey playing against the boys with Corio, was happy to go along for the ride.

“It actually wasn’t my idea,” Stewart said of her initial selection.

“My dad signed me up, filled in the form for me and said: ‘This is what we’re doing on Sunday’.

“I was like: ‘OK, cool’.”

After a full day’s training and filming on June 5 at the CitiPower Centre – an experience Stewart described as “challenging” – the first episode will screen on June 20 through the Renegades’ digital platforms.

“It was very different,” she said of the one-day training session.

Stewart is a foundation member of North Geelong’s women’s team. Picture: Mark Wilson

“All the girls there had played higher cricket.”

It’s fair to say Adelaide-born Stewart, the last surviving member of the club’s women’s team, making 25 runs in the Pies’ first game in November, 2019, is something of a cricket nut.

She is spending the off-season playing the indoor version and all her closest friendships have been forged through the game.

Her journey in cricket began at Corio CC where she progressed from playing against the boys to the men in B Grade at about 15 years of age.

“It was a little bit scary but I got used to it,” Stewart said, who’s favourite player is fellow South Australian and Test star Travis Head.

Originally published as North Geelong women’s cricketer Jordyn Stewart in the running to become the club’s second Renegades Recruit