LAST year Tuncurry cricketer Anita Handono was gutted when she missed out on selection into the under-15 NSW Country women’s team.
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But this year, on top of selection into several other elite cricketing teams, she was chosen as the NSW Country’s vice captain and is currently playing in the Female National Championships in Hobart until December 1.
“I’m really excited to be on the team,” Handono said.
“I was pretty gutted when I didn’t get selected last year and I’m looking forward to seeing the quality of cricket around Australia, and which areas focus on cricket the most.”
She started her tour as opening batter in a friendly match against Sydney before flying to Hobart, a sign of confidence from her coaches.
And although playing in the Female National Championships is the highest cricket tournament Handono has competed in, this year is full of instances where she has punched above her weight.
This year she was reselected into the Hunter School Sport team, one of the few people in year 9 among girls in year 11 and 12.
She also plays for Northern NSW in the Sydney Cricket Association Women's Competition, which is an open age tournament full of the best female cricketers in NSW.
“It’s really good for my experience playing in that comp,” she said.
“Some of my team mates don’t even know I’m 14.”
Handono is also known as a high achiever in soccer, having represented the NSW country soccer team this year.
But cricket is her sport of choice.
“The atmosphere is a bit different when you play cricket,” she said.
“Also, the coaching is really good. My NSW North Coast coach Troy McKieran has really made me love cricket.”
Another difference between women’s cricket and soccer, but Handona said only her love of the sport influences her decisions, is that cricket may be more lucrative for its professionals.
“I hope to make it professionally, but will see where it goes,” Handono said.
She said if she did make it professionally in cricket, she would have access to a newly signed Women's Big Bash League to play in.
Mother Jane Handono said she was proud of how much her daughter had achieved this year.
She said she would support her daughter in whatever sport she chose to play in.
“Cricket NSW has been very supportive of the girls, which keeps them coming through the ranks.”