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GIRLS GETTING CLOSER TO FIRST COUNTY VICTORY

Friday, February 22, 2008
Sport/Cricket
AFTER 32 attempts, the IW Under-15 girls’ team could be very close to recording their first-ever county championship victory.
That’s the verdict of IW community coach Jon Goldsmith, who has taken over as coach, this season, as well as the under-13s.
“The standard has definitely improved since I first got involved with coaching at level one in 2000 and I am sure the under-15s will prove a match for anyone this coming campaign,” said Goldsmith, 41, from Carisbrooke Park. “I think the big advantage has been the facilities, especially at the cricket academy at Ventnor.
“And with the advent of the county ground at Shide, it is a brilliant time to be involved with the sport on the Island.
“Both the under-13s and 15s are in with Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire, which means 16 games this season, weather permitting.”
While Goldsmith is confident the under-15s will do well, he is concerned about the lack of numbers for the younger team.
“We desperately need players for the under-13s,” said Goldsmith, who plays for Northwood in the Harwoods Renault IW League.
“I have to go around the schools and I have found many 12 and 13 year olds who enjoy the game but not taken it up seriously.
“However, if anyone is interested, then come along to the cricket academy at Ventnor any Sunday between noon and 2pm and they will be more than welcome.
“We are also holding three tournaments at Cowes, Ryde School and Ventnor in the coming month, where we hope to recruit more players.”
Many of the young girls and women at the academy on Sunday had got into the sport through their fathers or grandfathers and one such player is Nicole Mew.
“My dad, Norton, is still playing for Godshill and watching him got me interested in cricket,” said Nicole, 14, who attends Ryde High School.
“I have been playing for the Island since the age of 11 and we are definitely getting better as a unit. We are all quietly confident of having a good outdoor season.
“We would love to win at least three of our matches against other counties and I am sure we will achieve at least that.”
With the superb facilities at Ventnor and the enthusiasm of the ladies in training, then they could well spring a surprise or two in 2008.