The Illawarra Flames will arrive at the Sydney Cricket Ground for Tuesday's Regional Bash finals with two important goals.
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The first is to inspire the next generation of girls cricketers to chase their dreams within the sport. The second, to return to Wollongong with the trophy.
Veteran Jo Kelly has been playing women's cricket since the early days and she acknowledges Tuesday's finals on the most revered ground in the state will play a key role in opening up opportunities for more girls to play the sport.
"It's a huge opportunity for the competition to grow country cricket," Kelly said. "Being part of the Bush Breakers the last couple of years, women's cricket is growing.
"This competition should increase participation and in the Illawarra we'll be able to have a larger pool of players to draw from to pick the side. That will help us have more success in bringing home a championship in the future."
If the Flames are to achieve their second goal, they will have to beat the ACT Aces in the semi-final, before a clash with either Newcastle or Coffs Coast in the decider.
The Illawarra squad has changed somewhat since their first-round victory over Orana in October, with four new players to feature on Tuesday.
Boom youngsters Kayla Burton and Dharmini Chauhan will miss the match, the duo currently playing at the Australian Under 18 Championships.
Kelly, however, is confident the side can overcome their absence and challenge for the inaugural Women's Regional Bash title.
"Our team's changed a little bit from our last game, so this will be the first time we've got together since that game.
"It will be interesting, we must make the most of the opportunity of playing on that ground, and hopefully it all works out for us.
"We've got a good chance of making the final, I don't really know the players in the ACT side. We've got a strong group of players, so hopefully we can do the job."
Like so many young girls, Kelly grew up playing boys cricket before eventually shifting to a women's competition.
The St Georges Basin resident currently plays first grade for St George-Sutherland in the Sydney women's competition, alongside Flames teammates Naomi Woods and Sophie Heath, and Albion Park star Tahlia Wilson.
Kelly is optimistic cricket will soon get to the point where girls can play in female-only competitions from juniors right through to open-age.
"I grew up playing boys cricket, as did a lot of others," Kelly said. "There are still a lot of girls in Shoalhaven playing boys cricket.
"Throughout the Illawarra zone, they've got a good competition happening, the Twenty20 women's competition, their numbers are growing.
"Having these tournaments for regional areas exposes a lot more people and may even bring back older players than can impart their knowledge of the game and help the young ones."
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