18th May 2017
| Mallory Gray
Women’s Kia Super League
This winter has seen Cricket Wales players have their first involvement in the Women’s Kia Super League Programme. There are six franchises in the Kia Super League Western Storm, Loughborough Lightning, Lancashire Thunder, Surrey Stars, Yorkshire Diamonds and 2016 champions Southern Vipers. These six franchises compete in a T20 competition in August where some games will be broadcast on Sky. The competition will see the world’s best female cricketers compete against each other with the finals being held on September 1st. Each of the franchises must also run a regional development centre where the best young girls from the counties are selected to train, which is part of the ECB women’s pathway.
Alex Griffiths, Charlotte Scarborough and Georgia Parfitt have been part of the Western Storm Regional Development Centre throughout the winter where they have attended regular training sessions in Somerset, Exeter and Bristol.
Georgia Parfitt said about her experience in the regional development centre,
“Being part of the Western Storm Regional Development Centre has been a new and challenging experience, one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and hope to continue throughout the summer. Being able to work with coaches and players from other counties has enriched my knowledge and helped me further develop my mental and physical game. I’ve been able to forge new friendships and train with some of the best players from around the country, this has encouraged me to progress my game further, work at being the best I can possibly be and hopefully succeed at the highest level. “
Lauren Parfitt and Claire Nicholas were invited by Trevor Griffin, Western Storm Head Coach into the Senior Training squad. These are the first two Welsh players to have any involvement in the Western Storm training squad. Western Storm is captained by the current England captain Heather Knight and boasts other international cricketers such as Anya Shrubsole and West Indian Stefanie Taylor.
Ffion Wynne who is in her final year at Loughborough University and is the first welsh player to be invited into the Loughborough Lightning Training squad. Ffion will be training alongside world class players such as Australian Ellyse Perry, England’s Georgia Elwiss and Amy Jones.
Aimee Rees Cricket Wales Senior Women’s Head Coach said,
“I am extremely proud of all the girls who have had involvement in the Kia Super League programme this winter. Georgia, Charlotte and Alex have all significantly benefited from their time at the Western Storm Regional Development Centre. They have improved technically, physically and mentally and will be better cricketers for the experience.
As for Lauren, Claire and Ffion its great they have been recognised for their performances and work ethic. It’s great for them to have the opportunity to train alongside world class international cricketer which they can only benefit from. The girls are working really hard and have had a great start for Wales in the county championship. I really hope they get selected for the final squads and are able to show case their talents in the Kia Super League.”