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Our cricketing trio earn State call-up

Posted on November 4, 2011

HOWZAT! Sunraysia junior female cricketers Rhiann O’Donnell, Teagan Parker and Makinley Blows will represent Victoria at the Under 15 and Under 18 National Cricket Championships later this year.

By VINNIE RODI

THREE of Sunraysia’s rising female cricket prospects have taken their next step toward the big time, with Rhiann O’Donnell and Makinley Blows, both 13, selected in the Under 15 Victorian Cricket team, and Teagan Parker, 17, one selection away from lining up in the Under 18 side.

It’s a selection that will see Rhiann (Mildura West) and Makinley (Workers Gol Gol) represent Victoria for the first time in their cricketing careers, with the pair to travel to Western Sydney in December to compete against the best Australia has to offer at the Under 15 National Championships.

For Teagan (Workers Gol Gol) – who is already a two-time Victorian representative – she still has an anxious wait ahead, with final team selections to be announced over the next few weeks. If selected, Teagan will represent her State at the Under 18 National Championships, which will be held in Victoria in January.

Taking time out from a hectic training schedule to talk to the Mildura Weekly this week, all three cricketers said they were both nervous and excited to be representing their State.

“It’s all very exciting,” Makinley said. “This will be my first time playing for Victoria, and hopefully I can do well, and help the team win a few games.”

They are goals shared by her team mate, Rhiann.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “My main goal is to try to take as many wickets as I can, and hopefully make a few runs, and just do my best.”

For Teagan – who is no stranger to State representation – she said she was looking forward to the challenge of once again playing for Victoria.

“Having done it before I know there’s no better feeling,” she said. “It’s something that I’ve talked to Makinley and Rhiann about – to just enjoy the opportunity.

“My first goal is to obviously make the team, and then just do my best when – and if – the time comes.

“There’s a lot of talented girls in the running for spots, and hopefully I can get the nod.”
All three girls have had to endure numerous selection camps to make it to this point, with Teagan still required to attend training sessions in Melbourne if she is to make the team.

In terms of their respective cricket journeys, all three girls have followed a similar path, with Teagan, Makinley and Rhiann first playing the game in the backyard with their fathers, brothers, and male cousins.

Discovering talent and enjoyment in the sport, the girls then started taking up cricket at school, participating in Kanga 8’s tournaments.

It wasn’t long before all three were testing their skills in the Sunraysia Cricket Association’s junior competitions – competing with and against the boys – a challenge all three relished.

“I still play against the boys on Saturday mornings, and it has always been something that I enjoy,” Makinley said. “None of the guys treat me any differently, although they do get a little annoyed if a girl gets them out.”

It’s skill that has seen all three youngsters make a mark locally, with Makinley a fair bowler, Rhiann handy with both bat and bowl, and Teagan a competent batsmen and wicket-keeper.

Teagan and Rhiann’s talents have even seen them considered for senior selection, with Teagan no stranger to the Second and Third Divisions, and Rhiann making her Third Division debut last weekend.

“I love playing senior cricket,” Teagan said. “It’s a terrific challenge, and a great way to get the skills up.”

All three girls have been training hard in the lead-up to their respective National Championships, with Cricket Victoria’s regional administrator, Andrew Farlie, holding special sessions for the girls each week.

Taking the girls through their paces each Wednesday at the Aero Oval nets, Andrew said it had been encouraging to see three of Sunraysia’s rising stars make it to this point.

“Women’s cricket is booming at the moment,” he said. “More girls are starting to take up the sport, and the skill levels of those participants are constantly improving.

“It’s great to see these girls do well, and hopefully they can perform even better for Victoria.”

And it’s a sport all three encouraged others to consider taking up.

“I’d love to see more girls play,” Rhiann said. “It’s a great sport, and the opportunities to go further are certainly there.”

And while representing their State – and their local cricket teams – is high on the agenda, all three girls admitted that playing for Australia one day was also on the wish-list.

“It’s certainly a dream,” Makinley said. “And something that I think all of us are aiming for.”

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