Teenage sensation Mia Barwick yet to choose between cricket and footy

Mia Barwick is one of Tasmania’s brightest cricket and footy prospects and one day she will need to make a choice. As she prepares to head to Abu Dhabi with the Tigers, she opens up on her future.

Mia Barwick with the Hannah Short best on ground medal presented by Hannah Short. Picture: Linda Higginson / Solstice Digital

Tasmanian football is in danger of losing one of its rising young stars and potential future Devils AFLW player with teenage sensation Mia Barwick hooked on cricket.

Barwick’s phenomenal success on the cricket field has her leaning toward the summer game at the expense of footy.

That includes being named Player of the Match in North Hobart’s CTPL women’s grand final win over the Northern Raiders on Sunday, claiming the medal for her five-wicket haul, and her inclusion in the Tasmanian Tigers squad to tour Abu Dhabi next week.

Now 14, Barwick was also called into the Hobart Hurricanes squad at the age of 13 last summer for her medium-pace bowling.

In the meantime, Barwick has rejected an invitation to be part of the Tasmanian under-16 state football team to focus on her cricket.

“I probably like cricket more at the moment,” she said.

“I get more opportunities with cricket at the moment so I’m enjoying it more.

“I’ve put down the opportunity to be in the state under-16 team (football), so I will just be playing footy at Claremont.

“I have a couple of cricket trips away this year so can’t commit to football as much.”

A grade nine student at Oatlands District High School, Barwick was part of North Hobart’s T20 and one-day title winning sides last year, and added the 2024-25 CTPL flag to her growing list of achievements.

Her 5-41 off nine overs helped sink the Raiders and clinch the flag for North Hobart.

“The Raiders smashed us last week so it was good to go up north and get them back,” Barwick said.

Being part of the Tigers’ tour to Abu Dhabi is a coupe for the 14-year-old all-rounder.

“I’m in the Emerging Tigers squad and that’s how I was selected for Abu Dhabi,” she said.

“I’m excited about the tour, but a bit nervous about the plane trip. I have been out of Australia before.

“We will be playing a few England teams so I’m really looking forward to having that experience.”