Now in its third year, the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association's Under 15 All Girls Cricket League is strengthening the game's pathway for local girls.

The competition began running within the association in season 2023-'24 comprising four teams (Rovers United Bruck, Beechworth Wanderers, Yarrawonga-Mulwala and Benalla), expanded to five last year with the entry of City Colts, and has remained at five for 2025-'26 with the inclusion of Wangaratta Magpies following the departure of Benalla.

Bec Feldtmann, chair of the all girls competition sub-committee, said it was pleasing to see continuing - and growing - interest at a time when many other associations have been unable to establish a girls' competition.

"The girls are loving it," she said.

"This year we've gone up to a higher level; for the first two years, the girls played level one, where wickets counted to the score of the bowling team but the batter faced their allocated balls before going out.

"This year they face 20 balls and retire if they don't go out, are playing with a harder ball, and will play finals."

Bec said the age range in the competition was from 10 or 11 years up to 15.

The age level has increased as the competition has grown, from under 14 last year to under 15 this year in a bid to keep the older cohort together and continuing to play cricket.

There are even plans to add an under 12 competition in coming years, in addition to the under 15s, depending on interest.

"A lot of the girls do a variety of other sports, but when they can see women's cricket televised especially through the Big Bash, it's great that they have a chance to play locally," Bec said.

"The competition is a chance for girls to try a different sport, and they enjoy playing together.

"We've always had girls playing in the mixed competition, but there's a different level of excitement and enjoyment when they’re playing with girls.

"They are very supportive of their teammates, and of the opposition as well; if a girl's made a few runs or taken wickets, they celebrate that.

"Hopefully it will continue to grow and we can add a few more teams."

Last weekend, a WDCA girls representative side took part in the Shepparton Challenge for the first time in a number of years, with the Wangaratta side (8/90 off 30 overs) going down to Shepparton (7/91 off 26 overs) at Wareena Park.

Arabella Brett top-scored for the home side with an unbeaten 11, while Stephanie Parsons, Ava Penney and Kirsty Plevnik (not out) each scored eight.

Ava Penney took 2/3 from her three overs, while Arabella Brett finished with 2/7 from her three, and executed a run-out.

Phoebe Cresswell caught and bowled Shepparton opener Phoebe Hawker, while sister Neve took two field catches.

WDCA also plans to play a game against Cricket Albury Wodonga during Junior Country Week in January, and has a number of players gearing up to represent North East Knights in the Cricket Victoria Under 15 Girls Country Cup Carnival next month.

"The great coaching the girls get at representative level can then be brought back to the clubs so other players will benefit," Bec said.