Toowoomba women’s cricket team started with hopes of establishing social competition in untapped market

Sick of the lack of women teams across Toowoomba, a group of friends have started their own social cricket group with the hopes of establishing a competition to provide a safe space for female sporting fans.

Imagine after years of playing a sport you love, you were told there was no longer a place for you in the team.

This has been a common occurrence for female cricket players across the Darling Downs region, until recently.

Following an eight-week social women’s cricket league at the start of last year, Melissa Lyell and friends banded together to form the Women’s Social Cricket Toowoomba group.

Now in its second season, Mrs Lyell said they were pushing even harder to establish a women’s social competition in the Garden City.

“In Toowoomba, when you hit a certain age as a girl cricketer, there’s not a lot of options for you,” she said.

“You’ve either got to go to Brisbane to play premier league or you’ve got to play men’s grade cricket.

“There’s an untapped market we haven’t found yet … but we’d like to develop it for the future of women’s cricket.”

Abi McCray, April Lancaster-Smith and Di Town hope that one day Women's cricket will have a regular spot in the Darling Downs sporting atmosphere. Thursday, January 12, 2023. Picture: Morgan Burley

Cricketer Narelle McAuley helps coach her son’s team, and has seen first hand the reality of a young girl hoping to play the “under-minority” sport.

“People are used to seeing men play cricket, and people in the region … it’s all set up with men’s teams, even in the juniors,” she said.

April Lancaster-Smith and Abi McCray are encouraging all interested women to have a go and come play a game of cricket with the Toowoomba Women's Social Group. Thursday, January 12, 2023. Picture: Morgan Burley

“I’ve seen a girl come into a grading day and felt really uncomfortable in the atmosphere with all the boys and felt really out of step.

“There needs to be a safe space for women and girls in cricket.”

While there are options for young girls to play cricket in the region, once they become teenagers, the opportunities reduce and some believe it’s not worth the risk of playing.

Cricketer Di Town said while there might be some women who can hold their own against the men, there were times particularly with teenage boys, where there was an element of danger.

“Sure, you want the girls to be able to develop their skills, but you want to do it where they feel safe,” she said.

Narelle McAuley, Melissa Lyell and Tammy Marshall are inviting women across the Toowoomba region to give cricket a go at their Women's social cricket group every Wednesday night. Thursday, January 12, 2023. Picture: Morgan Burley

“Women have played, gotten hurt, and don't want to play again. The men just smash it back at you.

“You don’t want to be going in there worrying about if you're going to get hurt … but it’s the sacrifice you have to make if you want to keep playing.”

The Toowoomba women’s social cricket group is hoping that through the support of the community, particularly of Southern District Magpies Cricket Club who are providing training and equipment to the group, one day women across the region can come back and play the sport they love.

Women's Social Cricket Toowoomba players (L-R) Melissa Lyell, Narelle McAuley, Abi McCray, Tammy Marshall, Di Town and April Lancaster-Smith hope that one day women and girls will have a more permanent chance to play cricket in the district. Thursday, January 12, 2023. Picture: Morgan Burley

“Toowoomba can really grow women’s sports … but we can’t do it on our own,”

“Even if you’ve never played cricket before and just want to have a go, come along and have a bit of fun.”

The social group meets each Wednesday night from 6pm at the Middle Ridge park, with equipment, skill, or fees not required.

For more information, visit the Women’s Social Cricket Toowoomba Facebook page.

Toowoomba Cricket, in conjunction with Queensland Cricket, will host an eight-week Wednesday Women’s League from February 1 at 6pm to 8pm, with women of all skill abilities encouraged to participate. Visit the Toowoomba Cricket Facebook for registration details.