The decision to build a women’s side this season has made Taylors Lakes Cricket Club complete.
Having had junior sides along with a men’s side previously, the Lions felt it was time to field a women’s side this season.
In the space of just a month, they managed to get a side up and running which is now playing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Lions president Paul Wolf said things couldn’t have gone much better with the side.
“We are thrilled with how things are going,” he said. “We had the ambition and put our an expression of interest in August.
“It has been fantastic and Taylors Lakes now feels complete. We have juniors, seniors and a women’s side, it puts the whole place together.
“It should have been done years ago.”
The club initially planned to enter a side in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association but decided to play in the VTCA.
Wolf said they felt they had the talent to play in the higher competition which plays normal cricket rules and with full sides.
He said the club and the group were so focused on being successful and having a sustainable program.
“It has been successful and we’re delighted with the mix. We have a couple of experienced heads and some new starters and some up and comers.
“We’ve got 13-14 players in the squad and it’s been really enjoyable so far.”
Coach Thomas Hurst said he had really enjoyed working with the side.
“We’ve got some key values and it’s about development,” he said.
“We want them to enjoy training and playing and success will naturally follow that.
“There’s an eagerness to learn and learn quickly which is positive.
“They are driving it and the amount of improvement in the last couple of months.”
Hurst said the group was gaining more confidence in all elements of the game.
The side had been lucky to have Judi Donovan and Alisha Fowler come across who both provide plenty of leadership on the field.
For both Wolf and Hurst it’s about building the program for the future and taking the wins when they come.
“It’s been really good as it’s been one club, one family and one purpose,” Hurst said.
“We treat the club like a cricket family and it was the one thing we were lacking.
“There’s more kids and husbands watching games and they come to training as well as we don’t want that to be a barrier.
“There’s a good buzz.”
The Lions, who are still looking for their first win of the season, were due to face Coburg on Sunday.
The match was washed out.
