With the explosion in popularity of women’s cricket over the last few years, it’s little wonder Cricket WA are taking the opportunity to get young women and their fathers to bond over the bails.
For the first time in WA, a Daughter and Dads cricket clinic will be held at Hossack Reserve in Parkwood.
The clinic, aimed at primary school-aged girls and their fathers, will run for 90 minutes per session for nine weeks, delivering a combination of cricket skill and well-being education for primary school girls and their dads, or father figure.
While the program has previously run in New South Wales, it makes it’s WA debut on Tuesday October 19, and WA Cricket Female Engagement and Volunteers Specialist Caitlin Spencer said the Parkwood-based program, delivered in conjunction with the City of Canning and Healthway, would empower young girls and provide positive role models.
“This program has previously run in New South Wales at two sites last year, in Sydney and Newcastle, but this is the first time it has been run in WA and we’re really excited about it,” she said.
“We chose Parkwood as a location because the City of Canning have been really supportive of our vision for this and they’re great to work with.
“We’re also targeting low physical activity areas and this fits that criteria.”
Ms Spencer said the popularity of women’s cricket provided a unique opportunity to empower young women and help build a relationship with fathers.
“I think cricket is one of the few sports where fathers and daughters can engage on an equal playing field.
“Female cricketers are incredible role models for young women and this program allows young women to really engage with their fathers and be supported by their fathers in breaking gender stereotypes when it comes to sport.
“You just have to look at the popularity of the Women’s Big Bash League and women’s cricket in general to see that this is a real opportunity to build confidence for these girls and build that bond between a daughter and their father.”
Booking online is essential through Playcricket.
