ECB Womens Big Cricket Month
Petrina is 45 years old and had only picked up a cricket bat on the beach or in a park with her family until 2019, when she became inspired by the growth of the women's section at Sheffield Collegiate Cricket Club, driven by Katie Stewart. Previously, she viewed cricket as something other people understood, and men played. Last year she signed up to first ever all female ‘SuperOver‘ competition with her daughter Ianna and Ianna's friend Hannah, in the hope that the young girls would get something out of it. Since then, all three of them attend training weekly and participate in matches.
Petrina really has improved dramatically! She has gone from someone who didn't really have a clue about cricket, to someone who bats and bowls confidently and hits regular 4s in matches! She has worked hard, and her understanding of the game, the scoring and the strategic thinking have improved a zillion percent.
Cricket has definitely improved her confidence, but it wasn't instant. Initially her confidence was dented as she felt quite incompetent, but she has experienced a turnaround and puts this down to fantastic, approachable coaches and team mates who have encouraged her and she is now far more confident than she was a year ago.
Petrina loves the social side and feels she is now part of a fantastic group of women and girls. She loves being part of a team, and enjoys the WhatsApp banter!
As a busy teacher, mother and wife, it can be difficult to fit a hobby in, but cricket has made Petrina carve out time for herself. She has made sure she leaves work on time to attend training, especially at stressful times when it was the last thing she felt like doing, but the very thing she knew she needed to be doing.
Petrina highly recommends cricket to any females who are in need of finding something for themselves. "You don’t have to be any good", she says, "Just willing to learn something new. Local clubs are full of local people with the same outlook. Coaches are friendly and encouraging and over time, without you realising, you are improving- my score sheets are testament to that!"