Sport
3 January, 2025
Under 16 female championships played in town
The next generation of cricketing superstars are set to showcase their talents in Maryborough courtesy of the Under 16 Female National Championship.
Hosted this year by the City of Ballarat and run by the Ballarat Cricket Association, Hedges Oval will be the stage for three one-day matches during the round-robin phase of the competition.
Action will commence this Monday, January 6 with a marquee matchup between last year’s champions Victoria Metro and third-placed New South Wales Country.
Play will continue on Tuesday, January 7 between ACT and Northern Territory followed by a clash between Victoria Country and 2024 runners up New South Wales Metro on Sunday, January 12 during the final round of round-robin play.
Hedges Oval’s involvement in the competition is a continuation of its role as a venue for last year’s Under 17 Male National Championships where it hosted three matches.
According to Colts Phelans’ Gary Wagstaff, this year’s competition is sure to build on the ground’s reputation as a suitable venue for national games.
“We had an over 60s game a few years ago where the Ballarat Cricket Association played at Hedges Oval,” he said.
“They were rapt with the ground and the wicket, so the following year when they got the under 17 boys [competition], they approached us whether we would be interested in hosting some games.
“All the sides absolutely enjoyed coming to Maryborough and Hedges — they were rapt with the ground, the wicket, and we also supplied lunch so all three areas got a tick.
“They couldn’t get over how the main street was only five minutes away and they could go down and have coffee or a pub meal.”
Wagstaff said the current condition of the wicket coupled with the standard of play should create a spectacle of bat and ball action.
“It provides a chance for Maryborough to look at some top-range junior cricket played in Maryborough,” he said.
“There was over 500 runs made on a day in the first game last year between New South Wales Metro and Victoria Metro on the same wicket we are using this year so hopefully there will be lots of runs made.
“Just having people come to Maryborough and hopefully they enjoy Maryborough and might come back and spend a weekend here which is economically better for Maryborough.”
Wagstaff said he is keen to see more national games at Hedges Oval if the City of Ballarat continues to host competitions.
“[The Ballarat Cricket Association] would only have to ring us and ask the question and we would be happy to jump at the chance to promote Colts Phelans Cricket Club, Hedges Oval and Maryborough,” he said.