Playing cricket at the very highest level has always been the goal for Emma Hughes.
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So when the dream became that bit closer to a reality this week it was a slightly surreal moment for the Dubbo teenager.
Hughes has linked with the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season.
That means she's now teammates with the likes of international stars Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, and Ash Gardiner
"You've always dreamed about it and now you're getting there so you're taken back a little bit," Hughes said of joining the Sixers.
"But it's more excitement. I'm not really nervous because I've got such a great team backing me and helping me and that's the best part, learning from them."
Hughes has been a regular on the junior representative circuit for the bulk of junior career, having played at numerous national championships while she was also named a reserve for the Australian under 19s side last season.
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Those performances, and the commitment shown in travelling all over the country to chase her dream, led the Sixers to offer her the deal and chance to rub shoulders with the very best.
"I feel like all that travel has slightly paid off now I'm with the Sixers," she laughed.
"The hours my parents put in to drive me places, now I'm super happy to have made it to a high level and I'm excited to play in the team."
Having the opportunity to play with and against players she idolised growing up provides a huge amount of excitement for Hughes, but she's determined not to just make up the numbers.
Being part of the Sixers squad offers the chance for a massive amount of development and the teenage seamer wants to make the most of that.
"Being in that environment and training at the standards they have will be the best opportunity for me to grow as a cricketer," she said.
"Ultimately for me, getting on the ground and playing is the big thing. Whether I bowl or bat, I don't mind, but as long as I get out there and have a game in the stadiums will be my goal.
"I know we've got a strong team and will have quite the lineup for the majority of the games, especially with the Australian girls in it.
"Being able to play with them is the ultimate goal."
As much as she might want to, Hughes isn't yet able to fully focus on the Sixers.
She'll head to Sydney in early October and be part of the Sixers squad for the first two matches before returning home to undertake her HSC exams.
She will then return to Sydney on November 5 for the rest of the WBBL campaign.
Hughes plans to stay on in the city following that, with hopes to attend university in Sydney next year.
Following the WBBL, Hughes will again play with the Penrith women's side.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
