Isle of Man Cricket call for open trials

"It's just one day - a couple of hours on November 1 at the NSC," Sally Green, a coach at IOMC, told Manx Radio. "The women can expect batting, bowling and fielding drills, but no need to worry, they don't need to have any experience really. They just have to come prepared to have a go and show what they can do."

Green said cricket's popularity in the region has grown over the last few years with many women now involved in their soft ball programs. She said the surge of new participants has encouraged the board to organise trials to form a senior team.

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"The numbers have really increased and that's why we're in a position to offer this senior squad this year. Over the last two years we've had 150 new women play in the soft ball festivals, and we've also had a large increase in women and girls play in the traditional senior and junior leagues alongside their male counterparts."

"I think the Isle of Man is a very sporting nation. I think it helps that there's more cricket on television so it's more out there for people to see, but also, the women on the Isle of Man are prepared to have a go at any sport really and enjoy their sport," she said. "I think cricket is growing - male and female - so it was the right time to push the female cricket as well."

Green said she hopes people's interest in the game can continue to grow as the country looks to push for international honours. She added that the aim of the selections is to create a senior squad that can train through the winter and eventually form the national women's team.

"Hopefully, this year we'll have a good number of women training in the winter to form the first senior squad. Then, hopefully, this squad will eventually become what will be equivalent of the male national team who will then compete on the world stage in ICC events - they can go on to represent the Isle of Man in World Cup qualifiers."

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While admitting they are still a while away from achieving international status, Green said this is a step in the right direction - to increase the popularity and thus raise the standard of the game in the region.

"Because the number of nations that play women's cricket are smaller, the chances of success, I suppose, are increased. And the chance to go around the world and play cricket is very exciting. I think it's a great opportunity for any female who might want to play any cricket."

"We're not there (gaining international status)Isl yet because we have to have a number of teams and all that, but logistically we're getting much closer," she concluded.