Cricket –
A little bit of cricketing history was made last Thursday (November 5), when Tiegan Kavanagh became the first female player to run out in Central Coast Cricket Association’s First Grade Competition.
Playing for the Wyong Roos in their Round 2 clash against Northern Power, the debutant made quite the impression, taking four wickets to become Wyong’s leading wicket taker.
Getting the call up after strong performances in the NSW Country Cricket Championships and Australian Country Championships, as well as with the club’s Second Grade, the medium pace bowler’s debut had been a long time coming and the Chronicle sat down with Kavanagh to talk all things cricket.
Having grown up with a cricket mad dad and brother, it’s hard for Kavanagh to remember a time where baggy caps and cricket whites weren’t a constant in her life, but one thing she does remember is absolutely hating cricket.
“Growing up it was play with the boys or don’t play at all, and as a kid, I hated that.
“I remember being in Milo Cricket Juniors and just sitting on the field picking grass until I just stopped playing all together,” Kavanagh said.
It wasn’t until her dad forced her back on to the pitch that something clicked.
“Dad made me fill in for a friend’s Under 10’s team and I was dreading it, but I ended up really enjoying it and just kept playing with that team right through that whole year and haven’t stopped since.”
Also playing in First Grade for the Sydney Cricket Club in the NSW Women’s Premier Competition and the Captain of the Central Coast Rush Women’s Representative team, Kavanagh basically eats, sleeps and breathes cricket, but if the sport has taught her anything, it’s how to manage a hectic schedule.
“I’ve pretty much been playing on the Coast on Saturdays and in Sydney on Sundays since I was 13, so I’m always pretty busy, but it’s all routine now.”
Speaking on her history making debut as the first woman to play in the CCCA First Grade, Kavanagh said she was proud to have made such a milestone, with the significance of her appointment not lost on her.
“Running out, I was so nervous, but so excited, I’m very proud to be the first woman to get to do it.
“Having grown up during a time where there were hardly any girls on the pitch, it’s great to see how far the women’s game has come just in general, but especially here on the Coast.
“Seeing how far the girls comp and Ladies T20 has come has been so exciting, and getting to be a role model for it feels really special.”
When asked about her career plans, Kavanagh said she was going to be taking her time to just enjoy the upcoming summer of cricket.
“I’ll be looking to secure my spot in the First Grade and that means performing well each week and taking as many wickets as possible.
“I’m not really trying to be career focused, I just want to enjoy playing and make the most of the opportunities that come my way.”
Dilon Luke