Junior Sport News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Girls’ Cricket is on the up and up in Pembrokeshire

At the beginning of the year Jackie Williams, Emma Summons and Naomi James, were approached by Cricket Wales and the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Coaches, to format and develop a regional squad of junior girls in Pembrokeshire. In February, Jackie was appointed the inaugural manager of the Pembrokeshire Girls U11’s and Emma the manager of the U13’s, whilst Naomi assists in coaching both teams.

Between them they have a wealth of cricket experience, representing Pembrokeshire and Wales at both junior and senior levels. Jackie has captained the Pembrokeshire and National cricket team at senior level. Pembrokeshire is proud to boast that we are the only region in Wales to play senior ladies cricket and have done for a number of years. In the last 10 years we have produced 18 players who have gone on to represent Wales at either junior or senior level, something we are immensely proud of.

Grass roots level to start

In February, with the help of Nick Evans and the Pembrokeshire Cricket Development Officer, Matthew Freeman, we contacted schools and clubs in Pembrokeshire to invite any girls interested in playing sport to attend cricket-taster sessions. We literally introduced cricket skills at grass roots level. This has proved to be extremely successful and six months on we currently have 25 girls who attend training sessions on a weekly basis and who have been involved in competitive games.
As this is the inception year, the U11’s have been playing friendly games against other regions and local sides. We have also entered several local junior festivals in Pembrokeshire where we have been very successful. We feel without a doubt the U11’s can compete with other teams on their level. We have had some close games with other regions, narrowly losing to Cardiff and the Vale and recently beating West Glamorgan which we consider to be quite an achievement in our first year.

Cricketing backgrounds – and talented sporting youngsters

We have several girls who come from a rich cricketing background that are following in family footsteps. Olivia James is following a whole dynasty of James’s from Johnston with Lily Thomas following both her Mum and Dad from Llangwm. Lily has been the U11’s captain and she has shown a natural affinity for the role. From Haverfordwest we have Shannon Phillips, Lucy Phillips and Chloe Field (U13’s captain) whose fathers all currently play for Haverfordwest. Katie Griffiths, Chloe Hood, Anna Ridge and Cerys Griffiths are also following a strong family tradition. We have a real mix of players; some of whom are naturally talented at sport. Elinor Beazley is a very talented young tennis player who has adapted very easily to cricket. Sara Davies, Rebecca Reynolds and Lleucu George play several different sports very competitively. Recently we have been joined by several players from Narberth who continue to show considerable potential for the future. Cerys and Elin Jones are sisters who have both played for the U11’s this season. Narberth have an all girls team, coached by Ceri Davies. He, along with Nick Evans, has been very instrumental in organising girls’ cricket in Pembrokeshire.

Thrown in at the deep end

The U13’s have literally been thrown in at the deep end as they were entered straight into regional competitions. Several of the U11’s have been playing in the team, so we have found it to be very challenging and a big learning curve. As 13’s we have been playing against teams that have been together for several years and who have current Welsh internationals. Nevertheless, we are looking forward and with the current players our aim to compete at this level in two years time. Ideally we would like to attract girls from the age of 9 and 10, so that we can get them started early, therefore by the time we compete at Regional level at U11’s they will have been playing for two years and at U13’s for four years.

Successful start

Undoubtedly we consider our first season to be a very successful year. We have a very friendly and happy group of girls who support each other and who have genuinely enjoyed their cricket this year. They have been keen and competitive and as coaches we have be delighted with their progress. In January National trials take place in Cardiff and we believe with additional coaching several of the girls have the potential to represent Wales in the future. A National coach has recently been appointed at U11’s and our aim is to put Pembrokeshire at the forefront of regional girl’s cricket where we produce quality young cricketers. We are looking forward, and like the boys aim to have regional teams at each age group in the near future.
We feel that we have girls with tremendous potential to achieve success at a higher level. In order to achieve this it is important to provide continued quality coaching and competitive cricket. We are looking to continue training this winter as we are still playing catch up with the other regions. There will be a short break; however we aim to start again in October. Therefore any clubs, coaches or teachers who have young girls with potential in their teams or any girls interested in playing cricket please contact either Matthew Freeman (CDO) or Jackie Williams.

Commitment – and sponsorship - needed

Being involved in a regional squad requires a large level of commitment and support from many areas, from players, parents and coaches. Thank you to everyone who has contributed this season. We would like to say a huge thank you to Haverfordwest Cricket club who have given us tremendous support by allowing us to use their outdoor net facilities every week. Thanks to Nick Evans for his continued support and guidance, to Haven Kebab for their kit sponsor and to Kenny Davies in Fossa Sports for providing and printing the kit.
We are currently looking for funding and sponsorship. There are many ways in which you can help with funding to support the girl’s regional squads. You can make a donation; sponsor a match, kit or equipment. Alternatively you contact us for additional information. As coaches we are prepared to invest the time, commitment and experience, we hope you feel we are worth investing in.
Jackie Williams, Emma Summons and Naomi James.
Pembrokeshire U11’s and U13’s managers and coaches.

Jackie Williams jax.williams@virgin.net
Home 01646 693078, Mobile 07717496404
Emma Summons Lil-em_69@hotmail.co.uk
Home 01437 890245, Mobile 07791310144
Naomi James naomijames75@hotmail.com
Home 01437 891438, Mobile 07891585011
Nick Evans n.evans.714@btinternet.com
Home 01834861788, Mobile 07788866033

PHOTO:

Pictured in the photograph are the County U11'S before a recent match
Back - left to right:
Naomi James coach, Chloe Hood, Shannon Phillips, Cerys Jones, Katie Griffiths, Abby Beckett, Danni Meehan, Lily Thomas, Jess Phillips, Elin Jones, Jackie Williams coach, Emma Summons coach
Front – left to right:
Eve Thomson, Cerys Griffiths, Olivia James, Anna Ridge, Jasmine Gymer, Sara Davies, Elinor Beazley, Lleucu George