The competition was established with four teams last season and six Illawarra clubs are interested in being involved this summer.

As women’s sport booms nationally following the introduction of the AFL Women’s competition, rugby league World Cup, the Matildas’ success on the international soccer stage and a women’s Big Bash tournament.

The Australian rugby sevens women’s team claimed the gold medal at last year’s Rio Olympics.

At a regional level, the Wollongong Saints Australian football team won the AFL Sydney division one premiership and Albion Park are chasing the NSW Champion of Club Champions trophy.

Last season, Wollongong hosted the Australian Country Championships women’s Twenty20 tournament, won by East Asia Pacific in the final at Uni Oval, after NSW finished on top of the round robin ladder. 

The free come-and-try days are held at Reed Park, Dapto, on October 15 and Dalton Park on October 22, starting at 9am.

“Any girl between the ages of 11 and 16 are welcome to attend and interested girls are welcome from South Coast, Highlands and Shoalhaven, as well as from the Illawarra,” a Cricket Illawarra statement said.

“The pathway for girls cricket is very simple for girls who love cricket, as shown by a large majority of this year’s Illawarra under 15 women’s Country Championships team being from last season’s Sixers girls league.

“Three local girls also played in this weekends City-Country match at Blacktown International Sportspark, playing against Ellyse Perry and Alex Blackwell to name a few.

“Womens cricket has come a long way in a short time, and Cricket Illawarra is committed to growing participation and enjoyment for girls who wish to try cricket as a summer sport.

“Sixers Illawarra Girls League is T20 Format and seven-a-side.”