Cricket enthusiast puts girls through their paces

DEVELOPMENT MODE: Ellie Liddington (right) keeps a watchful eye on Glenbervie School's Tawa Holyoake as she sets off on a run..PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Northland females who are cricket mad are being called out as a new girls cricket development officer has been appointed.

Kerikeri's Ellie Liddington is working alongside Northland Cricket to promote the game within the region, with the hope of bringing regular weekend cricket back.

There is no doubting the 23-year-old AUT Sport and Recreation graduate is passionate about the job and possesses the skills needed, after having played cricket to a representative level as a high school student in Kerikeri.

Liddington said she wanted to keep her goals simple for her first year before putting time and energy into re-establishing a pathway from high school cricket to open women's matches.

"My big role is developing regular Saturday girls cricket."

A four-week women's 8-a-side competition is getting under way next Saturday.

"I think [cricket has] gone downhill recently. Not as many teachers in schools or people are willing to coach," she said.

"And, because there is just that tournament [the Leaf Cup, a secondary school girls tournament], how do they keep up the skills? That's the area I want to fix."

Liddington, who is also a former top ki-o-rahi player, knows she is not the only one who is keen to keep the women's form of the game going in Northland after a parent spoke to her at a school rally day voicing her eagerness.

"I want to get those pathways from out of school. There's a bit of twilight, which is boys and girls, but it's not the competitive side which is what I loved.

"At a field day, a parent came along [and] said if there was a fun women's league she'd be keen, but there's just nothing there.

"You could pull one team together but then you're going to have to go to Auckland which is a big commitment. We're building up from the bottom really."

Liddington says she is buoyed by the talent of up-and-coming female cricketer Olivia Lobb.

"She's doing really well. I've only had one training with her so far and already she's got so much leadership potential.

"There are a lot of girls at Whangarei Girls' High School who are interested [in cricket] ... so it's about getting [Lobb] to keep that interest up."

Liddington added that if any girls were interested in playing they should talk to their school sports co-ordinator. If you are an older cricketer, contact the Northland Cricket office on 09 438-2400.