This summer was set to be the biggest yet, with a 10-team combined Illawarra-South Coast competition planned.

The season has been delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak, with a start date not possible until mid-November at the earliest.

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It's a frustrating situation, however the Corrimal captain is optimistic momentum will not be halted.

"This past year we've had huge growth," Trebel said. "I was shocked to see we have 10 teams, it's great.

"The lockdowns probably will affect the sport and people's commitment to playing. We're hoping that even if it's just a short season we can still get out there and play."

While Trebel is a veteran of women's cricket, many players set to feature in the competition are new to the sport.

The new Balgownie side will feature a number of mothers who have spent years watching partners and children playing and have decided it's their turn to pick up the bat and ball.

It's a similar situation for Port Kembla, the side featuring a mix of new and existing players.

For the team's manager Melissa Yates, women and girls competitions are the key to boosting female participation rates.

This, she feels, will ensure teenagers don't drop out of the sport because their only option is to play with boys.

"It's massive to have our own competition," Yates said. "Females don't have a lot of options generally when they're playing in a male-dominated sport."

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