Queensland cricket club gives women a safe and inclusive place to play

When Kylie Starcevich's daughter aged out of their local junior cricket competition, the only option was to join a boys' team.

"My daughter has autism and ADHD … with her anxiety she just didn't have that confidence to be the only girl playing amongst a group of boys," Ms Starcevich said.

So the Sunshine Coast woman decided to form her own squad.

Five years on, the Nambour USC Strikers are about to do what many aspiring Australian cricketers could only dream of; take on the Poms.

"I can't believe it's actually happening," Ms Starcevich said.

"It's come together and everybody's been so wonderful and supportive."

More than just 'taxi drivers'

The team, with players ranging from teenagers to women in their 50s, jetted off for England on Wednesday morning to compete in the Walker Women's Cricket Cup.

They will be facing England's Kempton Cricket Club in Surrey, in a series of T20 matches.

Ms Starcevich, who is tour manager and captain of the side, said there were four mother-daughter duos in the mix, with three of the pairs travelling for the competition.

"Us mums tend to just be taxi drivers for our kids but we've got so much to offer and it's just an all-inclusive team," she said.

Vice-captain and tour coordinator Sharyn Eva, a navy veteran, said she was "incredibly proud" to represent the Sunshine Coast and Australia.

Ms Eva only returned to the sport later in life while navigating complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from her time in the defence force.

"Cricket has given me back a sense of connection I didn't realise I was missing," Ms Eva said.

Big hitters come on board

Team captain Ms Starcevich said New Zealand cricket legend Nicola Browne joined the squad for their final training session.

"She came down on Monday night, which was wonderful to have that support," the captain said.

The tour has been sponsored by Walker Corporation, the developers behind the Maroochydore City Centre, which will include a new Athlete's Village and a 6,500 seat arena ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cricket makes its long-awaited return in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and will also be included in 2032.

"Our juniors aren't able to travel because they're still in school but we are actually conducting a training session for junior girls over in Kempton to try and get them interested and show them that there's opportunities in cricket so that they don't start to fall away — which is a big problem in Australia," Ms Starcevich said.

"We've donated some equipment through our sponsors, Walker, some gear to Kempton and will try and make this a reciprocal thing which then gives a pathway for our juniors as they grow up.

"They will then have these opportunities that we've created now.

"I hope for the win, but first and foremost for the fun and the community having a great time together."

Click here to read article