The inaugural Queenstown Girls Cricket Carnival takes place over the next three days — modelled on the Queenstown Schools Cricket Carnival for boys, the 10th edition of which has been played this week.
And in more good news, locals Abby Fookes, 19, and Honor Gilbert, who’s almost 17, have batted outstandingly for Otago at the national girls’ under-19 tournament.
Local coach Emma Campbell says the girls’ carnival’s starting in low-key fashion with 18 high school cricketers from around Otago and Southland, including Queenstown, having registered.
"It’s really just to get it off the ground — I think until these things are started you really can’t get that demand and growth really."
The three-day carnival kicks off with a three-hour coaching clinic tomorrow, including tuition from Volts fast bowler, Queenstown’s Toby Hart.
Then at the weekend, the players are splitting up into two teams for a 40-over game on Saturday, from 11am, and a 30-over game on Sunday, from 10.30am.
"We’re really lucky, working with council and the Events Centre, they’re on the main oval."
Meanwhile, the two locals at the national U19s, opening batters Abby and Honor, enjoyed break-out scores.
Having played for Otago U19s since 2023, Abby scored her first 100 for them, then in T20 games last Saturday ransacked 95 off 56 balls and 50 off 29 balls and, on Sunday, 85 off 55 balls.
A thrilled Campbell states: "She’s got all the talent in the world."
Honor also achieved a breakthrough with a patient 59.
Campbell: "She’s still U17 level, so for her to even go to the 19s and get thrown into opening the batting and then take her opportunity is pretty special."
Honor will also play for Otago in the U17 nationals starting at Lincoln next Thursday, alongside local bowler Kara Trounce, who’s 16.
