Emerging Tigers program set to house future cricket superstars

Tasmania’s most promising young cricketers now have the best possible chance to succeed thanks to the introduction of a new program.

Emerging Tigers (L-R) Darcy Allen, Taylor Brooks, Sophia Di Venuto and Luca Di Venuto at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania’s most promising young cricketers are set to be given the best chance to one day become a Tiger or Hurricane following the introduction of Cricket Tasmania’s Emerging Tigers program.

After a detailed review of its development pathways, the organisation has introduced the program as its top tier in the pathway for both male and female players.

Emerging Tigers (L-R) Darcy Allen, Taylor Brooks, Sophia Di Venuto and Luca Di Venuto at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

Designed to allow the state’s most promising young athletes the chance to experience similar aspects of being a professional cricketer, the Head of Female Pathway Programs Natalie Schilov said it’s main aim was to see those involved one day play for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, WNCL or Big Bash competitions.

“The Emerging Tigers houses our best young talent who we think could become a contracted cricketer in the next three to five years,” she said.

“Our vision is that we are getting players from our system, home grown Tasmanians, onto our contracted lists.

“I think for us it’s also about trying to attract the best athletes. Competition for other sports is so high so we want to give them a reason to choose cricket so to have a program like this where they not only get skill development but also strength and conditioning support, physio support and nutrition and wellbeing support. It’s a real holistic program.”

For Taylor Brooks, one of eight girls in the program, she said the chance to work inside an elite level environment prior to becoming a professional athlete could only be seen as a positive.

Emerging Tigers (L-R) Darcy Allen, Taylor Brooks, Sophia Di Venuto and Luca Di Venuto at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I think the ability to be able to come in and work with elite level coaches is a great opportunity,” Brooks said.

“To be able to get that one-on-one coaching and work on specific skill areas is something that can only benefit us but also the off-field stuff around gym work and wellbeing that we might not get as much exposure too at our local clubs will be great.”

Fellow participant Luca Di Venuto, whose sister Sophia is also a member of the program, said the opportunity to potentially work with the current Tigers playing list was a really attractive part of being an Emerging Tiger.

The program, which runs from June to March, is catering to 23 participants across the state and is supported by the underpinning Cricket Tasmania Development Program and the Hurricanes/Raiders Rookies.

Emerging Tigers 2023/24

South

Chloe Abel (New Town)

Darcy Allen (North Hobart)

Hamish Ayliffe (Kingborough)

Taylor Brooks (Clarence)

Zac Curtain (Kingborough)

Luca Di Venuto (Clarence)

Sophia Di Venuto (Clarence)

Erin Fazackerley (Clarence)

Shelby Leonard (Kingborough)

Joseph McGann (Lindisfarne)

Tom Murrell (Lindisfarne)

Luke Quinlan (Lindisfarne)

James Scott (Kingborough)

Louis Smith (University)

Matilda Waddington (New Town)

Riley Whitelaw (Clarence)

Jesse Willmott (New Town)

North

Ava Curtis (South Launceston)

Thomas Dwyer (Mowbray)

Aidan O’Connor (Riverside)

Meg Radford (Riverside)

North West

Ethan Clark (Sheffield)

Riley Stafford (Wynyard)