WOMEN’S cricket could be added to the long list of inter-insular fixtures, possibly as early as next season.

The formation of a women’s team has moved closer with the offer of membership of the Jersey Island Cricket Club and the organising of winter coaching sessions.

Said Becky Silva, one of two qualified coaches running the women’s training: ‘We started taster sessions in the summer to give women an opportunity to come up and try cricket for those who may not have done so before and we had a good turnout, between 15 and 20 every week.

It was absolutely brilliant.

‘We started coaching the basics of batting and bowling and it went really well until the sessions stopped at the beginning of September.

‘We discussed where we should go next with cricket development officer Chris Minty and we feel we have reached a point where we could look to establish a ladies team from those who were attending the sessions in the summer.

‘We will be starting winter sessions after Christmas.

We have booked Grainville School sports hall and sent a letter to all those who attended the sessions in the summer.

‘We have also had discussions with the JICC and they have invited us to become members so we will be able to use the playing field and facilities during the summer.

‘Although we have contacted those who attended the sessions in the summer, the winter coaching will be available to anyone who is interested – the more the merrier,’ The senior ladies likely to be involved in the side initially have different levels of knowledge of the game, from those who have played in the UK like Becky Silva and Gemma Dunning, now playing for St Ouen in the Weekend Cricket league, to those who were picking up a bat for the first time.

‘In the future we would be looking to play games against touring sides, but depending on how things go, realistically we would be looking to play against the Guernsey ladies side towards the end of the summer,’ Silva said.

Once the team is established there is likely to be a steady stream of players in the future as cricket is now introduced to all children in primary schools.

Participation is restricted to Year 9 and over, and anyone interested in taking part in the women’s winter coaching sessions should contact the Cricket Development Office on 500159.