Tara Murray
The signs are positive for the Greenvale Kangaroos women’s program as they prepare to make the move to Victorian Premier Cricket.
The Kangaroos, who will have teams in the premier second XI and third XI competition next season, have really focused this season on developing the youth in the region.
The club’s three women’s teams all made finals, while their under-14 girls also had a successful season.
Kangaroos coach Catherine Morrow said this season was all about looking ahead to next season.
“We have achieved a lot this season with three teams playing finals and the under-14 girls winning the premiership,” she said.
“It’s been quite a successful year before going into premier cricket. At the start of the year I wanted to focus more on developing the girls skills so they would be ready to play premier cricket.
“We recruited well with a lot of young girls ready to take the next step.”
The Kangaroos first XI played off in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield grand final on Sunday against Frankston Women’s.
The Kangaroos batted first making 7-82. Morrow top scored with 44 not out.
Frankston had no issues getting the runs, finishing 1-83 in the 35th over.
Morrow said while disappointed in the result, it was an achievement to have even made it that far this season.
“We just didn’t make enough runs,” she said.
“It was about the young ones developing and learning under pressure. Just to make the final was a massive achievement.
“We were not looking like we would play finals in January. The season was really interrupted and we didn’t have our full strength team until the last couple of weeks.”
In that team was a number of up and coming players who have impressed Morrow.
The likes of Caitlin Shaw and Isabella Shaw, Lily Pelosi, Kailey O’Donnell, Ellie Liron, Bella Woods have bright futures.
“Caitlin and Isabella played for our Youth Premier League side and are from the Macedon Ranges region,” she said.
“Bella Woods has played nearly every game after Christmas, travelling down from Shepparton.
“Kailey stepped up and opened the batting and Ellie Liron is the youngest one of the lot.”
Morrow said they would look to have a month of training before getting back into it.
She said the group was focused on developing even further ahead of next season.
“They all want to play at the highest level.”
