Under 18 Female Championships launch in Canberra

Cricket Australia’s next crop of national talent take the field in Canberra as part of the Under 18 Female National Championships.

The competition – which has bred the likes of Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen and a host of others – will see eight teams compete for the Betty Butcher Shield.

Since its inception in 1996, New South Wales Metropolitan have won 16 of the 20 tournaments and are currently looking to extend their run of 11-in-a-row, one of Australia’s most dominant sporting runs.

A number of girls playing in the development tournament have recently taken part in the inaugural Rebel Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), including Georgia Wareham (VIC), Sophie Molineux (VIC), Makinley Blows (VIC) and Mikayla Hinkley (NSW).

17-year-old New South Wales Metropolitan quick Lauren Cheatle was due to play in the tournament after a lauded WBBL campaign but has been called-up into the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars T20 squad.

Cricket Australia’s Female and Talent Pathway Manager, Shawn Flegler, believes these tournaments are a step towards state and national representation.

“It’s tournaments like this where we really have an opportunity to start identifying Australian players of the future,” Flegler said.

“Girls that play and perform well in these underage tournaments have the potential to go on and have successful domestic or international careers.

“There has never been more opportunity for girls and women throughout Australia to pick up a bat and ball and have a clear pathway to an elite cricket career, particularly with the recent inception of the Women’s Big Bash League.”

You can keep up to date with the tournament at www.nationalchamps.com.au.