By Oliver Lees
Lancefield Cricket Club’s women’s program is going from strength to strength, with the club planning to add another junior and senior women’s team for the upcoming Gisborne District Cricket Association season.
Despite the club only establishing a dedicated women’s team three years ago, Emily Consiglio has been involved in the club in one shape or form for the past 17 years.
Now serving as the captain of the senior women’s team and as coach of the junior girls, the 23-year-old said it’s been exciting to see the club evolve over the years.
“I first filled in for my brother’s team when I was six-years-old, I guess it was a bit of a different game back then,” she said.
“I played right through juniors and left for a little bit to play at a higher level, before coming back a year later and then played juniors until I was 18. It was pretty funny because I was driving some of the junior boys to games and then padding up with them.
“It was very rare to see another girl on the field in those days.”
Consiglio said she first approached the club with the idea of starting up a women’s side four years ago.
“I said ‘hey, here’s a crazy idea, I want to start an all female side’,” Consiglio said.
“And they said it was a great idea, and they’d be happy to help me make it happen.”
Consiglio then set about making sure she had the numbers to fill a side. By sending out messages to women in the area, she was able to put together enough to get the ball rolling, with about 50 per cent playing cricket for the first time.
Lancefield played their first season in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association before moving to the GDCA last season, where the club went on to beat Sunbury for the premiership.
The Tigers went 6-135 in the 20 over innings, which proved too large a tally to chase for Sunbury which could only muster 2-96.
The GDCA had a total of four teams in the competition last season, with that number expected to grow to six with the inclusion of a second Lancefield side and Macedon entering their own side.
“The best thing is, there isn’t a divide between the men’s and women’s at our club, we’re united,” Consiglio said.
“Now I feel like I’m not just playing for myself, but I’m giving these girls a pathway too.
“I would just really encourage anyone to come and see what it’s like and get involved. Don’t just make an assumption, there’s always a position out there for everybody and at the end of the day we’re just there for a good time.”
The Tigers are hoping to hold a registration day in late September, or as soon as lockdown restrictions permit.
To contact the club, visit: facebook.com/LancefieldCricketClubInc
