In another sign cricket season is nearing, WA Cricket was excited to launch Play Cricket at the WACA Ground last week.
Play Cricket Launches In Style
WA Cricketers Jhye Richardson, Jordan Quiggin, Brody Couch, Ines McKeon, Charis Bekker and Chloe Ainsworth were joined by more than 30 Play Cricket participants.
It was a valuable opportunity for the next generation of cricket talent to meet and spend precious time with their sporting heroes.
Ainsworth said it was heartening to see so many young participants in the sport.
“Seeing all the kids out here has been great,” she said.
“I had a similar pathway coming through junior cricket and Woolworths T20 Blast.
“I then came up through club cricket with Canning Vale and Premier Cricket in Melville.”
Richardson said the launch reaffirmed the importance of enjoying cricket.
“Everyone plays cricket because they have fun doing it,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone strives to be a professional cricketer without having a love of the game.
“Out here today reiterates the enjoyment of playing the game.
“We take it so seriously, so it’s just nice to get out and have a run around and have some fun.”
So far this season, 3,702 participants have signed up for Cricket Blast, an 11% increase on season 2024-25.
Meanwhile, 9,348 participants have signed up statewide for junior cricket this season, an 8% on last season.
Of the 9,348 participants, 962 are female, representing a 12% increase year-on-year.
WA Cricket Community Cricket General Manager Jo Davies called upon all aspiring cricketers to gather their friends and register for the upcoming season.
“We had a fantastic year last year with more kids than ever before playing the game,” she said.
“We want them all to come back, and we want them all to bring their friends down and register.
“Summer is just around the corner, so it’s really exciting and you do feel that the season is upon us and we want everyone to start thinking about cricket.”
WA Cricket is calling on the stars of tomorrow to sign up for the Woolworths Cricket Blast and Junior Cricket programs this season.
Play Cricket programs run for an hour and give everyone a chance to bat, bowl and field and meet new friends in doing so.
Budding participants can register at https://play.cricket.com.au/play