A quick scan over Wests' teamsheet for Wednesday's opening fixture reveals much about the wide-ranging interest generated by the inaugural Newcastle District Cricket Association women's T20 league.
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Players have signed up for the Rosellas from Pelican, Booragul, Warners Bay, Abermain, Gillieston Heights and nearby New Lambton to take part in the NDCA's first all-female competition.
Cessnock right-arm seamer Lara Robertson is the youngest at 13. The eldest will be 51. Sonia and Montanna Sharpe make up a mother-daughter combination. Carla Petherbridge, daughter of Wests secretary Stephen, debuts in the sport along with a few other baseball players such as Olivia Cameron, Caroline Reay and Sharon Moncaster.
"I've grown up around it [cricket], but never actually played it," Petherbridge said.
Wests meet Newcastle City, featuring junior representatives like under-18 ACT-NSW Country all-rounder Allison McGrath, at Learmonth Park while Hamilton-Wickham host Waratah-Mayfield at Passmore Oval.
Both matches start at 5pm.
Waratah's Meaghan MacDonald, 30, crosses over codes following back-to-back AFL Hunter Central Coast titles and having grown up playing backyard cricket with her older brother.
"I'm super excited and really looking forward to it," she said.
Hamwicks are spearheaded by local cricket administrators Sharyn Beck and Jillian Dwyer, whose son Tom plays men's first grade with the Pumas.
A meeting was held at the Beauford Hotel on Monday night to finalise details for the NDCA women's T20 league.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Blasters representative team will next meet Coffs Coast Chargers in the semi-finals of the inaugural NSW women's T20 Regional Bash at the SCG on January 21 following results on the weekend.
The Chargers beat the Northern Inland Bolters at Tamworth on Sunday with Newcastle having already defeated the Central Coast Rush earlier this month.
FIXTURES: Newcastle City v Wests at Learmonth Park, Hamilton-Wickham v Waratah-Mayfield at Passmore Oval (Wednesday, 5pm).