Tara Murray
Mia Gordon thought her chances of making the Vic metro team for the Northern Summer Series was over when she got COVID-19.
At just 14, Mia was one of the younger players part of the under-16 Cricket Victoria Emerging Players program, with her being eligible for another two years.
But strong form in the training sessions and the Youth Premier League competition, saw Gordon selected for the Vic Metro team to play against some of the best players from across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT last month.
“I thought it was crazy and I was looking forward to all the training with the other girls,” she said of making the emerging players program.
“I really enjoyed the amount of opportunities I’ve got and I’ve still got two more years in the under-16s.
“They were at such a high level and they taught me more professionalism.
“I was shocked and grateful [to make the final team]. It was a really good opportunity not only on the ground, but being around all the quality coaches and players.”
The Caroline Springs cricketer finished second highest scorer for her team.
Mia said she felt at home playing against the other girls, as her game was challenged.
The tournament capped off a big summer for Mia who was part of Western Spirit’s first girls title in the Youth Premier League.
Mia played just four games due to Covid and she felt the effects through the games she did play.
Mia was one of two Spirit girls to be part of the Northern Summer Series alongside Holly Paggpel.
Mia said the YPL win was pretty special.
“The team was fantastic winning the title,” she said.
“It was a reward for the work that our coaches had put in.”
While still playing for Caroline Springs, Gordon is starting to make her mark at Victorian Premier Cricket with Essendon Maribyrnong Park.
She’s in her second season at the club.
“EMP’s culture is really good,” she said.
“It’s been a really good experience and there’s a lot of talented players and I love the coaches.”
Mia has aims of playing cricket for Australia one day. If she’s to achieve that, it will be a long way from the girl who started playing cricket for a different reason.
“I’ve been playing since I was eight. I was at my brother’s cricket and they were handing out Maccas vouchers.
“Mum would never take me to Maccas, so I joined to get a Maccas voucher and then they stopped doing that.
“I fell in love with it.”
