By JARROD POTTER
DANDENONG Lions and Casey-South Melbourne have joined forces to boost junior female cricket in the south east.
The Lions will extend its pride to the junior ranks with the announcement of an under-13 all-female team in the Dandenong District Cricket Association.
The Dandenong-Casey Young Lions’ cricket team, an initiative between Victorian Premier Cricket club Casey-South Melbourne and Dandenong Lions Women’s Cricket Club will allow girls up to 15-years-of-age to play in the newly formed team.
Dandenong Lions WCC club secretary and all-rounder Emma Gallagher said the club was keen to promote the sport throughout the age groups as part of their regional responsibility.
“We have been interested for a number of years of creating a team to nurture the junior participation in the area,” Gallagher said.
“We see it as our responsibility as a premier club in the region to develop cricket in Dandenong and Casey.”
Gallagher encouraged girls – whether or not they have played cricket before – from Dandenong, Casey and surrounding areas that are interested in playing, to get down and become a Lion.
“It’s a fantastic game and Cricket Australia has a real focus on improving participation… the opportunities are getting greater and greater every year,” Gallagher said.
“It’s a great sport to get into for the opportunity and the friendships along the way.”
The DDCA allows girls to play two years above age groups – with 15-year-olds permitted to play in the under-13 team.
The club hopes to play home games in the City of Casey area, but were awaiting final confirmation on the new home ground for the junior Lions with the season set to start in mid-October.
Contact Emma Gallagher at dandenongwomenscc@gmail.com for more information on joining the new team.
