In 1997/98 a new representative competition came into being. There was some concern at first as to the status of this venture as it did not appear to have the support of the NSWDCA. However it has continued to exist and is now a regular part of the cricket calendar for SSJCA players.

MARGARET PEDEN SHIELD

Season 2008/09

Emily Mifsud, Amy Turner, Natasha McGarrell, Maddison Spanhel, Aditi Chadmari, Alex Catterson; Caitlin McGregor, Mikaela Fallins (Captain), Bronte Eather, Erin Holland, Lauren Miletich, Emily White

This year's girl's representative shields were again played as a carnival over 3 rounds during one week in January. Sutherland entered an Under 15 team in the Margaret Peden Shield, comprising girls from the St Patricks team in the Sydney Rivers Girls Cricket Association (SRGCA), the St George Sutherland Grade Club's U17 team, and girls from the SSJCA competition. We also had a couple of girls from the Canterbury Wests SRGCA team help us fill the team. The Carnival was played at Castle Hill during the week when the temperature was 40C or above every day, which was a hard slog, especially when we only had 10 players available for the second match. The team is to be congratulated for their sterling effort under these conditions.

Sutherland had a bye first up and played 2 matches for 1 win and 1 loss. The win against Georges River St George was the first ever win for the Sutherland girls in a DCA rep carnival and was certainly an exciting match for us to chase down the big total. The team missed out on playing in the finals on Sunday as Bankstown had a better run rate and so finished second in our pool. Lauren Miletich finished as the carnival's highest run scorer.

The stars for Sutherland were Lauren Miletich and Mikaela Fallins, plus Caitlin McGregor was in a class of her own as keeper. We didn't have the depth of bowling to keep pressure on the opposition for all 40 overs hence the big scores but the less experienced girls all bowled a good line and length and it was only the top batters that were able to score freely. There were some good bowling results for a couple of the girls - Emily White (3/30) in the round 3 and Bronte Eather (3/34) in round 2 - these were deserved figures for good bowling. We also have a promising spinner in Emily Mifsud.

Most of these girls have been playing together in Mollie Dive / Margaret Peden for a few years now and many of the U15 girls will be too old next year so the challenge will be to develop the younger girls so we continue to build on what these girls have achieved and catch up to the other districts.

Round 1 - Sutherland had a bye

Round 2 - Sutherland 4/231 defeated Georges River St George 230
M Fallins 2/27 & 55, L Miletich 3/23 & 114*, B Eather 3/34, C McGregor 3 catches

Excellent Sutherland bowling and fielding, especially from wicketkeeper Caitlin, had GR StG struggling on 6/78 after 15 overs and we were dreaming of a gettable total. GR StG then put together a series of good partnerships to finish all out in the last over for 230 including a century to Kate Holland. The highlight in the field was the catch by Lauren Miletich off her own bowling after the ball was rifled straight back at her.

Our run chase was dominated by the 154 run partnership between Lauren Miletich and Mikaela Fallins. Both deserved to be there at the end of the match, but as it was, Mikaela was run out for 55 and it was left to Amy Turner to be there at the end to hit the winning runs with 2 overs to spare. Lauren remained not out 114 after hitting 14 fours and 4 sixes and just about needing to be carried from the field.

Round 3 - Bankstown 3/233 defeated Sutherland 153
E White 3/30, L Miletich 73, M Fallins 30

Deja vu all over again. We bowled first but Bankstown racked a big score for us to chase. All our front line bowlers had trouble taking wickets until Emily White's spell of clever slow bowling claimed 3 wickets thanks to 3 great catches.

We hoped that we'd be able chase down the total again and another century partnership between Lauren and Mikaela kept the dream alive, but the hot conditions took their toll on all team and task became too much.

MARGARET PEDEN SHIELD

Season 2007/08

Standing: Caitlin McGregor, Ellen Ryan, Lauren Miletich, Amy Turner, Bronte Eather, Isabella Merrilees-White, Erin Holland
Kneeling: Mikaela Fallins (Captain), Samara Mayo, Hannah Robinson
Inset: Natasha McGarrell

The girl's representative competition changed format this year from the home and away series of previous years to a week-long carnival held at Castle Hill during January. Sutherland entered a combined U13 / U15 team into the U15 Margaret Peden Shield competition. Although a few years younger and less experienced than the rest of the competition and never having a full team due to holiday commitments, the girls represented Sutherland with enthusiasm and pride. The team was very ably captained by Mikaela Fallins who always led by example. Many thanks to our scorers, Jackie, Di and David, and the other parents and family that came out to support the girls

Round 1 - Camden 3/72 defeated Sutherland 9/69
L Mitetich 26, H Robinson 1/16, B Eather 1/15

Although batting first and not seeing out all the available overs, our team scored a defendable total of 69, built around opener Lauren Miletich's 26, which included several boundaries and a memorable 6, with valuable contributions from Amy Turner and Bronte Eather. Camden's innings started slowly thanks to great bowling by our opening bowlers Mikaela Fallins and Lauren Miletich, but Camden were able to accelerate in the middle overs and score the required runs with quite a few overs to spare. The highlights were a great slips catch by Amy Turner plus the first over and innings of competitive cricket by Isabella Merrilees-White.

Round 2 - Northern Sydney 5/248 defeated Sutherland 8/12
M Fallins 2/19, B Eather 1/34, N McGarrell 1/33, E Ryan 1/32

A mismatched game against the eventual competition winners. Electing to bowl first, we bowled and fielded well but were unable to contain Northern Sydney's top batters. The highlights were 2 excellent soccer goalkeeper style catches by Lauren Miletich. In our innings, once Lauren Miletich was run-out without facing a ball, our batting couldn't handle the opposition's pace, with a couple of girls having the bruises to prove it. Our wicket-keeper, Caitlin McGregor, continued to impress with a good catch, plus being the only Sutherland batter to score a boundary. Erin Holland was the deserved Sutherland player of the match for her enthusiasm in the field and courage while batting. All out for 12 meant an early finish to the match, but time enough for a practice re-match for the girls who were determined to prove that they could do better. We even had a ring-in - ex-St George-Sutherland and current NSW / Australian player Rene Farrell joined our team, which lifted the girl's spirits.

Round 3 - Central Coast 3/101 defeated Sutherland 9/100
L Miletich 62, E Ryan 12, M Fallins 1/7, B Eather 1/19

With aches and pains and coming off a thrashing from the previous day, the team did very well to bat out all the overs and score 100. Again the main contribution was from Lauren Miletich, who came in down the order, with good support from Ellen Ryan. The score was made possible by the top order batters, Mikaela Fallins, Natasha McGarrell and Hannah Robinson, all of whom didn't score many runs but whose determined defence against the best of Central Coast's bowling ensured we had wickets in hand after the opening bowlers had finished their spell. Samara Mayo unselfishly ran herself out to keep Lauren on strike in the latter overs. An excellent spell from our opening bowlers, Mikaela Fallins and Lauren Miletich, made scoring difficult and kept us in the game. But once we had dismissed their openers, thanks to a great catch by Hannah Robinson, we were unable prevent their best batters from scoring freely and they passed our total without too much trouble.

MOLLIE DIVE SHIELD

Season 2006/07

Standing: Erin Holland, Ellen Ryan, Lauren Bellamy, Ashlea Drinnan, Emily Mifsud.
Kneeling: Samara Mayo, Natasha McGarrell.
Sitting: Mikaela Fallins, Maddison Harmer, Lauren Brain, Lauren Miletich

Firstly let me say what a great honour it was to be involved with the inaugural Sutherland Shire Girls U13 Rep Team. More importantly, what an honour to be involved with 11 fabulous young girls. To get a team together wasn't easy, we were without a regular coach, yet they proved what a winning spirit can do. In total we only got to play 3 games having to forfeit one, and we only had a full team for less than 2 hours in total. Despite all the setbacks, the girls pulled together as a team and showed wonderful sportsmanship.

Our Captain Mikaela Fallins led by example, she had excellent bowling figures, an average of 10, opened the batting and was enthusiastic in the field , with a couple of run outs my favourites. Lauren Bellamy got a great wicket in the last game, which showed how much her bowling had improved, she was always willing to have a go. Our super Wicket Keeper, Lauren Brain also was great at bowling and a steady batsman. Ashlea Drinnan was fantastic in the field helping with the Captains run out, bowling till she almost dropped and then sticking with her wicket to get some high partnerships. Taking her first ever wicket, Maddison Harmer just got better and more confident each game, also staying for some long partnerships. Having the most fun,(well it looked like it) was Erin Holland who was also a great stayer at the crease. Samara Mayo just had the best smile, maybe that's why the opposition kept hitting to her, she was great in the field.

Luckily we also had Natasha McGarrell who was very versatile, batting, bowling and wickie. And what would we have done without Miss Dynamo, Emily Mifsud, she was absolutely everywhere, opening the batting, bowling, wickie and fielding for the other side, you couldn't stop her. Unfortunately with her other sporting commitments, we didn't get to see the magic of Lauren Miletich's bowling, but her batting was just as amazing. Ellen Ryan was our quiet achiever, doing what had to be done, including caught and bowled, wasn't that great to watch?

We should also thank all the parents for their commitment to the girls sport, and all the help with coaching, scoring, cooking the BBQ, afternoon tea, chauffeur duties and enthusiastic spectating. Thankyou to Kate Owen, Steve Mulally and Greg Thomas.

Now that these girls have blazed the trail, let's make sure next year is bigger and better!

Jo Drinnan

Representative Cricket

History of Girl's Rep Cricket

When the 'SSCA Boys' Competition' first started in 1957 no thought was given in those days to girls playing the game. The first recorded entry of a girl to play in the SSJCA competition took place in 91/92 when Alana Gillett registered to play in the St Patrick's 10D team. Others were to follow and since then there have been quite a number of girls play in the Boys' Saturday morning competition.

By '92 the number had increased to 9 and the year after to 23. By 1995 it had increased to 27 with one girl knocking on the door of representative selection.

Notable performers in the SSJCA Competition over a number of seasons were Madeleine Kirkham (Miranda Magpies), Kate Owen (Gymea Bay) and Anastasia Zappert (St Patrick's).

A brief look at a 'snap' of these three players indicates how much they contributed to and subsequently progressed from Saturday morning junior cricket.

Madeleine Kirkham

Madeleine Kirkham first played competitive cricket at the age of 10 with Miranda Magpies, in season 1992-93. Madeleine played seven seasons with the Miranda Magpies, including one season of men's cricket at the B7 level.

She became a member of the Sutherland Women's District Club and subsequently a member of the St.George-Sutherland Club following amalgamation.

In 1996 Madeleine started High School at Port Hacking and was selected to represent Sydney East at the CHS School Girls competition which led on to her selection in 1996 NSW CHS U16 School Girls Championships. In the next year she was selected as part of the NSW CHS team to tour the UK and Ireland. Madeleine represented the NSW CHS over the next four years until finishing high school in 2000. In 1999 she was successful, making the NSW CHS Tour of South Africa. She was selected in NSW team for the Women's Cricket Australia (WCA) U17 Championships, which went on to win National Championships. She subsequently represented NSW in the next three National Championships at the U17 and U19 level. At the 2001 Championship she was selected to play for a WCA Invitational XI.

Kate Owen.

Kate commenced her cricket playing with Gymea Bay. She is the only SSJCA girl to play in boys' representative teams - Gee and Moore Shields. She has been a member of St. George-Sutherland Women's district Club since 11yrs old. When 14, she played in theU/17 Australian Championships.

Some highlights of Kate's career to date.

• Vice captain of NSW Invitational team.
• With New South Wales Combined High Schools toured UK/Ireland with CHS Cricket. At 14 years of age she was youngest player on tour, opened the batting and had an average of 56.
• NSW U/17 Player of the Year
• In Sydney Women's Grade Competition, Captain of 1st grade and Club Captain St. George-Sutherland (16yrs old).
• Captain of NSW U/19 team to play in U/19 Australian Championships at Campbelltown-2004
• Australian Under 23 Youth Squad.
• NSW 2nd XI Cricket Australia Women's Cup - Player of the Series
• Played in One Day International, Australia U/19 vs. England U/19 -Bowral 2003.
• 2005/06 Captained winning NSW team in U/19 Australian Championships; Australian Under 23 Youth squad; NSW 2nd XI team to play in Victoria; Sydney women's grade competition; Captain of St George/Sutherland 1st grade side

Anastasia Zappert

A fine young cricketer from St Patrick's club who started in the 10Ds went on to play in women's cricket and not only made first grade at St. George-Sutherland Women's District Club but on the way through made State squads as both an under 17 and under 19 player.

In 1999 the Association view was stated to be, _" The Association supports the recognized growing interest in Women's cricket. This interest arises in part from the success of the Australian Women's Team winning the World Cup. If numbers sustain the need, the Association will look to providing a separate competition for girls. Such a competition could best be run on a Sunday morning provided grounds are available and there are sufficient knowledgeable volunteers available to manage games."

This statement was backed up with action in the 2000/2001 season when a competition was introduced for girls only.

The seeds for the growth of this program were planted the previous season when Harry Peters as Vice President (Development) took the initiative to seek to provide girls' cricket teams. In consultation with Christina Matthews (Cricket NSW), and with her encouraging assistance the Association got behind Cricket NSW in its endeavours in this modern age to develop cricket for girls and provide means of playing competition for an ever growing number of girls expressing a desire to play the game. The continuing strong performance of the Australian women's cricket team within the international arena was, more so than ever, focusing cricket as a challenging sport for girls.

A gala day was organized at Caringbah Oval in the latter part of the 1999/2000 season, but unfortunately the elements intervened and although some forty girls turned up keen to play the day had to be abandoned. Nevertheless the ground work had been laid and 2000/2001 was a season to be seen.

For the first time ever the Association ran a competition for girls only. Marine Products Marketing (Harry & Carol Peters, Directors) outfitted four girls' teams providing team shirts and caps. The teams played at Kareela in a Sunday morning competition. The teams were organized to balance out the variations in age (they ranged from 8 to 15) and size to ensure a "level playing field" approach. It was quite an exercise in itself. Still more interesting was the input from the girls. Given the opportunity to create their own team names they came up with some creative thinking.

The teams were: "The Blues", "The Dream Team", "The Pink Sharks" and, "The Stormers". Games were played utilizing the northern and centre pitches at Kareela thus permitting the whole day's play to be completed in two hours using a Super 8 format. After ten rounds of competition the "Blues" ran out the winners.

The enthusiasm was infectious and the camaraderie between players, team coaches/managers and, supporters was unparalleled. The Managers in that special year were Jackie Bridges (Blues), Michael Herder (Pink Sharks), Paul Marsh and Bruce Booker (Dream team) and, Brian Freney (Stormers).

More importantly perhaps and most deserving of noting were the players. These were the first girls ever to play in a junior girls' cricket competition within the Sutherland Shire under the aegis of the SSJCA. They came from as far away as Kurnell and Barden Ridge and one or two even came from outside the Shire so keen were they to play.

They were: Natalie Alewood, Sam Armstrong, Becky Armstrong, Elissa Booker, Amie Bridge, Jenna Bridge, Melissa Bridge, Danielle Butler, Phoebe Connors, Tara Daniels, Alana Douglas, Annabelle Ducasse, Alicia Ewing, Laura Freney, Kate Halaska, Sarah Harris, Kate Heath, Clair Herder, Lara Howell, Naomi Jones, Elisha Kubinek, Emma Laws, Anne Leitch, Gaby Macoustra, Lauren McGrath, Jade O'Brien, Madelaine Orr, Alex Rolleston, Caryn Rolleston, Kelly Rolleston, Stephanie Szafranek, Kirby Marsh, Zoe Kellam, Jessica Walsh, Lucy Walsh, Amy Watson.

Though the next season saw a disappointing reversal and the abandonment of the girls' competition with distance and time allied to an absence of training and coaching facilities quoted as factors, it was not totally doom and gloom. With the confidence borne of the previous season two girls' teams took part in the standard Saturday morning (boys) competition. In playing against boys' teams an allowance was made by permitting some leeway in the normally rigid age group separations. Accordingly girls falling within the age group of under sixteen players were allowed to play alongside Under 14 girls. This had the blessing of Cricket NSW guidelines. Graded to be competitive the girls performed creditably.

Both teams were entered in the competition by the Association as distinct from being Club teams. This was a measure of support which demonstrated the keenness that the Management Committee had in seeking to develop girls' cricket. The older girls played in the Under 14 E Grade competition and though they won only the one match they did provide the winner that season of the 14E Bowling Aggregate (24 wickets). That skillful person was Joanna Roy. Joanna was not only the winner but on the way through to success claimed a hat trick (5/15). In all, it was a very impressive performance.

The second team was an under 10 team and it performed more than creditably. In a 7 team 10E competition the girls won 5 of their matches and in a 'first past the post' non competitive environment came second.

However, this chapter on girls who have played cricket in the SSJCA would not be complete without including reference to the Rolleston sisters. Alex, Caryn and Kelly played in the 2000/2001 all girls competition. At that time Kelly was only seven years of age but was already showing a lot of promise. When there was no girls' competition the following year Kelly played for Engadine Dragons and in 02/03 was selected to be a member of the NSW Emerging Blues under 13 team.

Finally, there have been many instances of ladies managing teams. There have been fewer though who have coached. The first instance on record of such an action was back in 1975 when Rosemary Deards, a schoolteacher, coached and umpired the Sylvania Heights 12E team. She was helped in her efforts by Joyce Dudman who acted as Team Manager. The team, by the way, completed the season as runners-up, two points behind Miranda Magpies.