However, a group of budding young Southland cricketers have just set that straight.
The Girls’ Invitational Team, made up of players aged between 11-13 from throughout the district, beat Southland Boys’ High School (SBHS) red in the last game of the Southland years 7 and 8 junior cricket competition at the SBHS cricket grounds on Saturday.
With one more run required for the girls to take the victory, the crowd anxiously awaited the next delivery.
Once hit, the park was filled with roaring cheers as players and supporters cheered on the batter as she ran towards to the other end of the wicket.
Team member Madison Brady (13), of Invercargill, said the girls were not at all scared to take on the boys.
"Girls are always underestimated. It’s good for us to be able to prove ourselves."
This season was the first time they had competed against boys’ teams since their team was formed two years ago.
Madison’s mother, Amber Brady, said supporters had turned up to watch the girls play each week.
"A lot of people thought they wouldn’t be able to face the boys, but they’ve totally held their own."
One of the other perks was the girls had all become close friends.
Head coach Ricki Tangley said he was "so proud" of how far the girls had come.
Especially considering they had won against another SBHS team the week before.
"We train once a week and they always show up to practice," he said.
"They’re a great group of girls."
A lifelong cricket player himself, he said it had been a pleasure to coach the team.
The next step would be looking into ways to keep them playing once they moved on to high school, as there were very few options available for girls’ cricket teams in the district.
