Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
On Saturday, March 25, Sydney Thunder will usher in a new and exciting cricket competition when the Big Bash League club hosts its inaugural HomeWorld Women’s Thunder Nation Cup at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Head of Thunder, Andrew Gilchrist, described the competition – which will see the state’s Indian Community pitted against a World (Blue) XI and a World (Yellow) XI – as the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
“Sydney Thunder has been proud, through our wonderful partnership with HomeWorld, to host the men’s Thunder Nation Cup since 2015,” he said.
“It has been one way for people who are newly arrived in Australia to celebrate their culture through playing our nation’s most popular sport.
“Besides allowing the participants to express themselves through cricket, it has also allowed many men to make friends in the new homeland and, in some cases, form a network which has allowed for them to get jobs.
“It’s also a competition which is unearthing tremendous talent. While Sydney Thunder’s Tanveer Sangha is the benchmark – he’s played in 27 BBL matches since being discovered as a teenager in the 2017/18 Thunder Nation Cup – this year we had Pushpinder Jassal join Thunder as a net bowler, and all reports suggest he was excellent.
“We hope to replicate these positive opportunities in the female edition of the Thunder Nation Cup. We are heartened by the number of players who have put their names forward, and we’re anticipating some quality cricket.
“This competition recognises the commitment by Sydney Thunder and HomeWorld to ensure cricket remains Australia’s most loved sport and to ensure female cricketers throughout Thunder Nation have an opportunity to network, express themselves on the field, form friendships and celebrate their culture.”
Trudi Busch, Director of Marketing, Sponsorship and Community at HomeWorld – who manage and develop the largest new home display villages across NSW – continue to support the Thunder Nation Cup is because its values extend beyond the cricket field.
“It is so exciting to see this next stage of the HomeWorld Thunder Nation Cup begin. We have been working hard to ensure that female players from these communities get the same opportunity to play cricket in the HomeWorld Thunder Nation Cup, whilst they represent and celebrate their cultures.”
“There are some incredibly talented players participating in this inaugural event, and we are hoping to see new players emerge as potential WBBL stars of the future.”
We have no doubt that the Female HomeWorld Thunder Nation Cup will continue to grow and become a significant annual event in the coming years.”
Among those who have registered are:
Haadia Khan (World XI Blue): After learning to play cricket as a six-year-old at Summer Hill Cricket Club in Sydney’s inner west, Haadia, who boasts Pakistani heritage, went on to play for Canterbury-Western Suburbs, Sydney before joining Bankstown Cricket Club.
One highlight of her burgeoning career was being pitted against NSW Breakers star Claire Moore in a school match.
Haadia has urged cricketers to get behind the Thunder Nation Cup – and all cricket – because she believes it’s a sport that allows for people to achieve their goals and for cultures to combine.
Aarya Shipurkar (India): Besides studying her Bachelor Exercise Sports Science/ Bachelor of Nutrition Science Sports and Exercise, Aarya also plays for Universities in the NSW Premier Plus competition.
Her talent as an off-spin bowler was recognised during the women’s World Cup staged in Australia and she was selected as a net bowler for the Australian team.
Aarya, who has played alongside such stars as Alex Blackwell, Stella Campbell, and Olivia Porter, said she thrives in the team environment that exists in cricket.
Lily Hreszczuk: This Year 10 student, who plays for the Campbelltown Camden Ghosts alongside Australia One Day International Hannah Darlington, is making her mark as a talented batter.
She gained plenty of attention after blasting 106 against Manly’s second grade last November, and as an Aussie with Ukrainian heritage, she hopes to keep the momentum going for the World (Yellow) XI.
Lily said she enjoys the support that comes from playing in a cricket team.
The inaugural HomeWorld Women’s Thunder Nation Cup will be held on Saturday 25 March at Blacktown International Sports Park. Entry is free for all spectators.
If you would like to interview any of the players, please contact community@sydneythunder.com.au
