New women’s side packed with young talent

New Avana women’s side ‘Te Ava Rau’ had their first introduction to women’s cricket last weekend.

The team took on Matavera in The Edgewater Resort and Spa Eastern Conference.

Te Ava Rau is an exciting prospect – a side jam-packed with talented youngsters with a couple of ‘senior’ players lending some experience and guidance. Eight players in all are under 19 including Memory Kauvai, 14, Moeara Joseph, 15, Jazmanda Tuaputa, 12, Memory Varu, 14 and skipper Margaret Tuaputa, 19.

Cricket chief executive officer Alister Stevic is excited about the mostly junior side.

“Most club sides have experienced an increase in junior players this year, which is exciting for the future of cricket and is reflective of the success of the ANZ junior cricket programme.”

In their match against Matavera, Te Ava Rau managed just 67 runs with the bat, which Matavera knocked off without losing a wicket.

But despite the loss the young side from Ngatangiia is as keen as ever.

A few more matches to build confidence and more training under their experienced coaches Arthur Emile and Tereinga Maoate, and Te Ava Rau could be causing opposition sides plenty of headaches very soon.