Against the fading light of a warm summer’s night, the sounds of Woolworths Cricket Blast and junior cricket matches give way to the laughter and cheering which is the women and girl’s Sunset Scorchers game being played at the Kalamunda Cricket Club.
Girls and Women Cricket is a Social Smash
Sixty-six women and girls registered for the Kalamunda Sunset Scorchers program, which is dedicated to being a social starting point for women and girls who want to give cricket a go.
Six sides took to the expansive Kalamunda Cricket Club field where coloured ribbons, socks and hats differentiated the teams from one another.
For mum Chantelle Morfitt, spending Friday evenings at the local club with family and friends has become a relaxing way to start the weekend.
“It is nice to have something for us and something that is fun and not that serious, where we can get together after the working week,” she said.
The idea of the women-only team was cooked up over a dinner and quickly acted upon due to the interest around the table from mums who had watched their sons fall in love with the game.
“Our team, the Green Machines, our sons play in Under-13s and we’ve been together since their Under-10s days,” Mrs Morfitt said.
“We were getting ready to register and we thought we would ask Kalamunda first because they didn’t have a women’s team and here we are.”
Danielle Ajdok said joining social cricket with her daughters was a “special” experience.
“There are quite a few daughters that play, my two daughters play in my team which is great, and it is so special,” Mrs Ajdok said.
“I think having the option out there for us girls and the opportunity to even make a start in the game, even if they don’t want to do it professionally, it is so good.
“It is just a bit of fun and nice to show our boys that we girls can play cricket as well.”
WA Cricket Regional Cricket Manager – Metro Central East Jacob Paolino said Sunset Scorchers is a great way to introduce women and girls to cricket.
“The women and girls get to know other people who are interested in cricket that might not have the skills to do so, they get to learn other parts of it as well,” he said.
“The program is made up of mainly just playing and getting used to what cricket looks like, what makes up the game from umpiring to how to even hold a bat and being able to have those conversations which might be a bit scary to have otherwise.”
Paolino said having women and girls cricket teams showcases how accessible sports is to play year-round for everyone.
“The flow on effect was getting involved and the members that make up part of the club or linking up the other sports such as football or netball, just making sure the sport is accessible all year and linking up with your local cricket club to do so.”
As Mrs Morfitt reflected, joining Sunset Scorchers isn’t just for the social benefits but being part of something bigger within her community.
“We can just come down and have a good time and it is good for the physical and the mental health,” she said.