Northam girl Rikki Garlett has taken strides as a young cricket player, having recently been awarded a Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Scholarship.
Her passion for cricket started as a young girl playing on weekends with the Ballardong Cricket Academy. The Northam youngster would verse the boys at training because there were only a small numbers of girls playing at the time.
Garlett said she was initially hesitant to play the boys, who were a lot bigger and faster than her at the time.
“There was one other girl or just me,” she said.
“I would sit out and didn’t want to play them. But I gave it a go – and it got easier and I got better.”
Garlett said getting out of her comfort zone taught her resilience and to not give up.
She has the best hand-eye coordination I have seen on anyone, boy or girl.
- Ballardong Cricket Academy Coach Andrew Vallance
Ballardong Cricket Academy coach Andrew Vallance had glowing reviews on Garlett’s cricket skills.
“Rikki is an outstanding fielder. She has the best hand-eye coordination I have seen on anyone, boy or girl. Some of the catches she's taking – it’s amazing. She’s also a good bowler and a very keen batter,” he said.
The Ballardong Cricket Academy is funded by the WACA and the Department of Sport and Recreation, which provided Garlett with a pathway to assist with her development.
WACA Aboriginal Programs coordinator Larry Kickett said Garlett is an athletic allrounder who enjoys playing an aggressive brand of cricket.
“Rikki stood out in the trial match against the State U15’s team earlier in the year in January taking three wickets and leading the way in the field,” he said.
“Leading up to the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) Rikki had made a top score of 44 and claimed three for 27 against Subiaco Floreat in the Premier cricket competition.
Mr Kickett said Garlett showed a great attitude and commitment to the team while for the NICC in Alice Springs.
“Her love for the game of cricket is evident and the squad loved having her involved,” she said.
“She was rated as one of the sides top fielders and bowled well with a quality spell of T20 bowling against Victoria claiming two wickets for nine runs.
“Her continued improvement and love of the game is sure to assist in what is already an extremely bright future.”
Garlett was recognised by her coaches and peers and awarded the Captain and Coaches award for the championships.
An overseas 10-day tour is on the cards for Garlett next year, to help with player development.
Garlett said girls should give sport a go at a young age, like she did.
“They’re going to get better at whatever they do,” she said.
“The more practice you get the better.”
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
