Women to unleash fire and fury in new T20 league
The Fire and Fury Women’s League will give players valuable exposure and a chance to compete at a higher level.
Benoni Northerns Ladies’ captain and Eastern Storm wicketkeeper Tamzyn Hartman believes the Fire and Fury Women’s League will bring much-needed exposure to women’s cricket in Ekurhuleni.
Hartman was one of 52 Eastern Cricket Union (ECU) players drafted into four teams that will form part of the competition during a player draft at Willowmoore Park on June 28.
“It brings so much exposure to the women’s game and gives players looking to move up in the cricket world an opportunity to be recognised,” she said. “It also lets them compete against more established players.”
While the region’s experienced names will likely draw the spotlight, the right-handed batter said the league also offers fringe players a platform to shine.
“It gives us all something to fight for. I like that we’ll be playing against teammates we usually train with, and also seeing new talent step up and show us what they’re capable of.”
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The franchise-based league was created to inspire, develop and showcase the growing female cricketing talent in the Eastern region.
The four teams – the Dragons, the Gryphons, the Phoenix and the Unicorns – will be coached by former Eastern Storm player and current Titans cricketer Alysia Rudolph, Benoni Northerns’ Megan Wilke, Ricea Coetzer, and Simone Lourens of the Titans.
League convenors Carmen Coppin and Shannon McKelvey said the tournament for women is about more than competition.
“It’s about empowerment and visibility for Easterns’ rising stars,” said Coppin. “Our mission is to create a space where women’s cricket is taken seriously, where talent and hard work are celebrated, and future legends are forged on and off the field.”
McKelvey added, “The league brings together players aged 15 and older, affiliated with the ECU – from schools and clubs to provincial level – in an exciting, competitive format.”
Matches will take place on September 6 and 7 at Hoërskool Hugenote and Laerskool Palm Brink in Springs.
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