Although she is one of only a handful of girls in the Benoni Northerns Cricket Club (BNCC) Impala U10 side that lit up the Eastern League, Gia Demos has shown that talent and determination know no boundaries.

The leading wicket-taker in her team has held her own in a boys-dominated environment, delivering match-winning spells while embracing the challenge of competing alongside her male teammates.

Rather than feeling out of place, Gia credits the boys for their energy and support, saying their enthusiasm on and off the field has helped make the game more enjoyable as she continues to make her mark with the ball.

“It’s very nice playing with the boys. It’s nice for them to be very comforting, funny and bring the energy to the team,” Gia said.

Gia’s passion for the sport was ignited by her brother, who played a crucial role in helping her understand the basics of the sport.

“I started playing in Grade Three, playing with my brother,” she said.

“I was never originally going to play cricket. My brother instructed me to bring a bat. He taught me how to play. We then joined our school, Rynfield Primary School’s team. From there, we joined Benoni Northerns.”

Sharing her love for the sport, she said, “I love how the sport is played, and every single day, you can make a difference”.

The 10-year old looks up to Proteas women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, who she described as one of the best female cricketers in the world and an influential leader.

“Laura is good at cricket. She’s always happy and is a good leader.”

Gia wants to represent SA one day and loves playing for Benoni Northerns.

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