By Tara Murray
Greenvale Kangaroos are moving into women’s cricket and are aiming to make an instant impact.
The Kangaroos are hoping to field two women’s sides and two junior girls sides as they look to expand their female program.
Last season, the club had only an under-13 girls side.
The club has appointed Sonja Viehl as senior women’s coach and pathway development co-ordinator for women and girls.
Viehl is excited about what the next few years will bring.
The Kangaroos looked at fielding a women’s side last season, but didn’t have the numbers, with the players taking the field for St Francis.
“I’m super excited as I have a passion for women’s cricket and the pathway,” Viehl said.
“Greenvale is setting up female-friendly facilities at the second oval which is turf.
“A lot of ground work and preparation need to be done to form the pathways. It’s challenging and exciting.
“This is the best time for any girl or female wanting to play cricket.”
Viehl comes to the Kangaroos after coaching Westmeadows last season in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
The Warriors ended up with two teams by season’s end, with their top side making the grand final.
Viehl was awarded the VTCA services to cricket award for her role in helping establish the women’s competition.
She’s also involved with female cricket in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
Viehl said Greenvale was looking to field teams in the new NWMCA T20 competition and the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition.
By having the two teams, they are hoping to accommodate for players of all abilities.
“The T20 competition is for a bit of a hit and giggle to have some fun,” she said.
“Some people just want to come and play socially.
“The other side will play in the WCCC one-day competition, which is played on Sundays.
“That’s a pathway into women’s cricket and setting the pathway if they want to play elite level cricket.
“We’ve had interest in both teams.”
Viehl said the aim in the next few years would be to develop the program so the club could field premier cricket sides.
The Kangaroos already have a men’s premier cricket team, the only one in the Hume area.
Viehl said that as the club already had a premier side, the women’s teams would get access to first-class facilities.
“It’s about making sure the players at the club have the same opportunities as the men,” she said..
“Training sessions will be on turf nets and centre wicket and oval number two will be the women’s oval.
The club is also looking at having an under-15 team to provide the pathway all the way through.
Information: www.greenvalekangaroos.com.au/Training-Female.aspx?rw=c
