Girls' cricket in Dubbo continues to go from strength to strength and the latest booming numbers have caught the attention of many involved with the game.
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The competition starts at the Lady Cutler ovals on Thursday afternoon and more than 70 players have registered to take part.
An organising committee led by Lisa Hunt has been hard at work in the off-season and that progress showed last week when a huge crowd was on hand for a family night event at No. 1 Oval.
Cricket Manager - Far West, Matt Ellis, was on hand at the family night on Friday as players took part in drills and activities with their parents and siblings before settling in to watch the opening WBBL clash between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers.
"It was a fantastic way to launch the season," Ellis said.
"It was an opportunity to interact with Mums and Dads and brothers and sisters in a fun, family atmosphere.
"Hopefully we can replicate that when the season starts."
Ellis said the numbers in Dubbo have been "tremendous" and he's had a huge amount of feedback from Cricket NSW.
"This has got the attention of Sydney and they're really excited to see more than 70 girls in a place like Dubbo playing cricket," he said.
"It's a bit of a template for other towns to follow."
Ellis said much of the credit had to go to Hunt and the other hard-working volunteers who put in a huge amount of time during the off-season.
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"She organised and communicated and created the interest," Ellis said of Hunt.
"It's great to see girls' cricket at the top of the agenda and Dubbo cricket led the way in the off-season.
"You don't have successful competitions without the volunteers."
The competition proper begins from 5pm on Thursday night with matches being played in upper primary and lower primary age divisions.
The format is six-a-side with players having been registering as groups of friends in teams rather than individuals.
That is one reason why the numbers have been so impressive, while the matches themselves aren't too time consuming.
"It's really exciting and satisfying to see it come to fruition," Ellis said.
"If Friday is anything to go by we're in for a really fun season."
Ellis added the excitement around the likes of Orange's Phoebe Litchfield and Dubbo's Emma Hughes earning WBBL contracts has further boosted interest around the game.
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.
