THE path towards COVID-19 lockdown freedom is not just a chance for Bathurst summer cricket competitions to get underway, but it gives some of the city's juniors an opportunity to rejoin Sydney teams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Many of Bathurst's rising cricketers have used Sydney Premier Cricket's various grades and competitions to further their skills, and with a new season on the horizon they'll be able to travel between Bathurst and Greater Sydney.
Among that group is Callee Black.
Black, 14, is among a large group of Bathurst junior girls who have forged a strong relationship with the Penrith Cricket Club over the past few seasons.
Last season's Western under 19s and 16s captains - Amy Kreuzberger and Hannah Knight - and fellow Western representatives Belinda Kidd and Gabby Bennett all enjoyed runs with Penrith over the 2020-21 season.
Black recently confirmed her commitment to Penrith again for the 2021-22 season - her fourth year with the club - after several other Sydney clubs pursed the services of the rising Bathurst star.
She'll be looking to build upon what was a promising season, which included a century in the under 18s Brewer Shield competition.
"The Sydney comp is really good," she said.
"You get a lot of opportunities to play with all different kinds of people with different skills.
"This season to come I'll probably play in seconds and if I feel comfortable I might have a couple of first grade games."
If Black does achieve her goal of a top grade appearance for Penrith she would join several other Bathurst players to achieve that status in recent years.
Kreuzberger made six first grade appearances for Penrith last season, as did Bathurst's recent NSW Breakers captain Lisa Griffith.
Black, Bennett and fellow Bathurst player Ella Tilburg have had the chance to further their cricket through the NSW Girls Under 16s Academy over the off-season.
Even though meeting up in person hasn't been possible it's still given them all plenty to work on and has helped keep them motivated.
"We've had Zoom meetings scheduled," Black said.
"I have two strength and conditioning sessions [through the academy] and some batting and bowling ones to do as well.
"Penrith have also set up a couple of extra challenges to do too."
Black's representative calendar is likely to be stacked over 2021-22, which will be very welcome after a winter of great uncertainty due to COVID-19.
The Under 16s NSW Country Championships have been delayed but remain on the agenda.
However, the same can not be said for the Under 16s National Championships, which were forced into cancellation.
A possible City vs Country game could be put together this January, and Black could also be looking at more fixtures with the NSW Indigenous XI's open side.
Final draws for Sydney Grade Cricket's competitions are still being put together.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News