Women & Girls Initiative of the Year | Finalists

The first finalist is Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club.

In 2023, the Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club Management Committee appointed a Director of Girls Cricket as part of their commitment to growing female participation within the sport. With a female President and over 50% female representation on the Committee, the club fosters inclusivity. Bhumika Chelwani, the newly appointed Director, implements a holistic approach to girls cricket, including coaching, clinics, pathways, representative activities and strategic relationships.  Under her guidance, the club hosted its first Girls Academy and facilitated a partnership between Met South West and Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association for an expanded competition. Bhumika also assists female coaches with accreditations and collaborates with schools and Blast programs to boost participation. Her player-centric approach earns her popularity and nomination for the Women & Girls Initiative award.

The second finalist is Boyne Island Tannum Sands Cricket Club.

This year the Boyne Island Cricket Club (BITS) was the first club in the Gladstone region to have a dedicated female competition, hosting a woman in cricket short competition. A resounding success, Neil Rethemal, who largely dedicates his time to the junior competitions, completely reshaped cricket in the Gladstone area to allow more female cricket players the opportunity to participate. The event was open to all females in the region with numerous players of all ages arriving at the Boyne Island Tannum Sands Cricket Club for the event. To ensure the competition remained fun and safe, Neil hosted a series of training sessions that included basic skills and games. The training was also an inclusive environment, providing for ladies with limited physical ability or those who have less of an understanding of the sport. This initiative from Neil and the rest of his team to make cricket in Queensland more accessible for all is why he is a worthy finalist for the Women & Girls Initiative award.

The third finalist is Brothers Cricket Club in Bundaberg.

Brothers Cricket Club, Bundaberg, fosters increased female participation by training female volunteers as accredited coaches. This initiative led to an all-girl training session alongside mixed team sessions. The surge in female participation enables the club to field a competitive all-girls side next season in the Bundaberg Cricket Association level 2 competition. The club plans to expand sessions to outside participants to develop more female cricketers. Additionally, it seeks female-friendly facility upgrades to retain more female participants. Steve Stewart's efforts earned him a finalist spot for the Women & Girls Initiative award, highlighting his dedication to promoting female cricket.