TEMPLEPATRICK Cricket Club's Jane Kenny, Brooke McCullough and Storm Cobain have been selected for the Northern Cricket Union Under 17 Girls Regional Development Squad for 2013.
The Ballyclare High School pupils are currently training with the regional squad under the guidance of NCU Development Officer and former Irish international, Nigel Jones, with the aim of being selected for the Under 17 representative side.
All three are also planning to complete the Introduction to Cricket coaching course during April which will enable them to pass on their skills and passion for the game to others.
The girls were nominated for inclusion in the squad by their club, in conjunction with their school and local Active Communities Cricket Coach, Michael Hingston.
Congratulating the girls on their selection, TCC Cricket Development Officer, Andy McCrea said: "Brooke, Jane and Storm have shown a great interest in cricket, and it is clear from their performances during coaching sessions that they all have the ability to achieve and progress at the game in the future. Their selection to the NCU Development Squad is not only a fantastic achievement and a great honour for them, but also a real boost for girls' cricket at Templepatrick Cricket Club and Ballyclare High School."
Commenting on the club's plans to expand opportunities for more girls and women to get involved in cricket, he added: "At Templepatrick Cricket Club we currently have 20 girls aged between four and 11 years old registered for our Under 11 coaching sessions and we are keen to see that number grow. With the likes of Brooke, Jane and Storm as role models we hope that more girls will come along and have a go at cricket.
"We are also in the process of setting up a Ladies' Committee, made up of players' wives, girlfriends and mums, with the aim of increasing the female network at the club, both on and off the field. The addition of a women's team is also something that we are keen to develop.
"More girls and women playing cricket at The Cloughan is something that we feel would be a real positive for the future development of our club, and for women's sport in the Newtownabbey area."

Caption: Brooke McCullough, Jane Kenny and Storm Cobain, have been selected for the NCU U17 Girls Regional Development Squad.
Photo courtesy of www.ronniemoore.co.uk