"I'd say every side in all the grades would have one or two girls playing,'' Manning Junior Cricket Academy coordinator, Matt Kennewell said.

Manning junior cricket conducts competitions in the under 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s divisions.

Matt said the association would eventually like to have a competition exclusively for girls.

"At the moment we just don't have the numbers,'' he admitted.

"And we'd probably have to combine the ages, have under 10/12s and 14/16s, something like that. But this is something we want to work towards.''

He said a couple of players are already showing promise, led by Samira Mitchell.

Samira had a busy season in 2020/21. An opening batter, the then 15-year-old played for Coffs Chargers in the final of the Regional Women's Big Bash at North Sydney Oval in January. Samira was named in the NSW Combined High Schools Second XI; represented Hunter in the NSW CHS championships; represented North Coastal in the NSW Country under 16 championships, where she was the leading run scorer and captained Mid North Coast boy's under 14 teams in a carnival in Newcastle, and where she was again the team's leading run scorer.

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Matt said Riely McLeod, who will represent the Manning under 12s but play in the under 14 competition, also has potential. Her dad, Luke, and grandfather, Paul, were both involved with Manning cricket for many seasons.

Arabella Roohan will be involved with Mid North Coast Junior Academy. A bowler, she will also play under 14s in the Manning competition and Manning under 12 representative side.

"There are now better pathways for girls with the academy,'' Matt continued.

Matt said that Maitlan Brown from Wingham is an obvious role model for young girls, with her performances in the WBBL, while she was also in the Australian squad for the recent series against India.

"Maitlan's achievements are an inspiration for any young girl,'' he said.

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While the 2021/22 season has officially started, Matt said it's not too late for any player, boy or girl, to register.

"All our teams would welcome any new player,'' he said.

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