Cricket Illawarra is finalising plans for the Fraternity Club Women's Twenty20 League to begin on November 12. A record 11 teams are set to compete in the weekly social competition, with women and girls of all ages and ability welcome to play.

The competition includes teams from across the region, with spots on several teams still available.

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Albion Park Rail's Tamara Willstrop was playing for the club's fourth grade team when she got invited to play women's T20 cricket last year. Her response was: "why not?"

Now coordinator for the Razor Rosettes side, Willstrop said the competition featured plenty of juniors who were inspired by the WBBL exploits of cricketers such as the Illawarra's Tahlia Wilson.

"Women's cricket hasn't really been a thing for the T20 in the Illawarra until 2019 I believe, so it's been great," Willstrop said.

"I think the more we can promote T20 here, the more that the younger generation will come up and have a good go. The young girls look up to those top cricketers. We have quite a few juniors coming up playing for the Rail, in fact, half of our side are juniors. And I think the girls who play in the Women's Big Bash are really inspiring to the younger generation.

"The competition is very exciting and I can't wait for it to start."

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The Women's T20 League will be held each Friday evening and aims to promote the sport, along with the social side of cricket.

"It's a good excuse to get out and have some fun," Willstrop said.

"As I say to all of the ladies and juniors that I've been able to recruit, it's just fun. Why not get out and have a go, and meet some new people? It doesn't matter if you know the game or not, it's all fun. And who knows? If you're good at it, look at where you could go with it.

"I don't think there's anything to lose. It's held on a Friday afternoon, you can play cricket for a couple of hours, come home and then enjoy your weekend."

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