Coulson To Lead Indigenous Squad

Coulson, an allrounder with the Valley club, was named today as captain of the National Indigenous women's squad that will compete in the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational, which will be held in Port Moresby next week.. 

The Invitational will involve the Australian Women’s Indigenous team alongside teams from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa. 

The T20 tournament is supported through the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.  

The Invitational is being played in Papua New Guinea as part of the celebration of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. 

Coulson was the player of the tournament at the recent National Indigenous Cricket Championships held on Yuwibara land in Mackay, with Queensland finishing as runners-up to first-time winners Western Australia that was led by former Queensland player Mikayla Hinkley.

Coulson and vice-captains Ella Hayward and Mikayla Hinkley, who both have extensive WBBL experience, will lead the 14-player squad, with seasoned players such as Anika Learoyd adding experience and a competitive edge to the lineup.  

Fellow Queenslanders Grace Abdy. Dharmini Chauhan and Clodagh Ryall were also named in the squad. Abdy (Valley) and Ryall (Wynnum-Manly) play in the Katherine Raymoint Shield in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition while Chauhan plays in Mackay.

Alex Stewart has been named Head Coach, while experienced Sydney Thunder allroudner and past Australian player Hannah Darlington steps into a new role as Assistant Coach, further strengthening the team’s leadership and bringing her invaluable knowledge to the squad. 
  
Australian Indigenous Women’s Squad 
Christina Coulson (c) – Kaurareg (QLD) 
Grace Abdy - Waanyi & Ganggalida (QLD) 
Callee Black – Wiradjuri (NSW) 
Dharmini Chauhan – Wiradjuri (QLD) 
Ella Hayward – Jawoyn (VIC) 
Mikayla Hinkley – Kunja (WA) 
Veronica Keen – Badimaya (WA) 
Anika Learoyd – Gumbaynggirr (NSW) 
Emma Manix-Geeves – Palawa (TAS) 
Tahlia Meier - Wamba Wamba (VIC)  
Clodagh Ryall – Kaurareg (QLD) 
Elsie Simpson – Kurnai (WA) 
Maddison Spence – Wiradjuri (NSW) 
Charlotte Toohey (WA) 

Head Coach: Alex Stewart - Palawa 
Assistant Coach: Hannah Darlington - Kamilaroi