GRACE Potter has been selected in the Victoria Country squad for the Cricket Australia Under-16 Female National Championships to be held in Ballarat in the new year.

Potter earned her selection after strong performances for Victoria Country against both Victoria Metro and South Australia at the recent carnival held at Monivae College in Hamilton.

The all-rounder will be integral to the success of the side with both bat and ball in hand.

Cricket Victoria’s Talent Development Manager – Female, Cassie Brock, said the program was pivotal to selection.

“Our players have continued to expand and develop all facets of their game throughout an extensive Emerging Player Program,” she said.

“The level of performance from all players has been exceptional and it’s a real credit to the effort they are putting in to continue their development.

“The National Championships will provide a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their skills while coming together and representing Victoria with great pride.”

Potter said her selection came as a surprise.

“You never quite expect to be picked out of all the very talented girls in the squad, so I’m very happy, (but) it probably won’t feel real until we play in January,” Potter said.

“I started playing when I was 11 when Covid was a thing, so in Dunkeld we had a group of girls who would head down to the nets to practice and hang out.

“Grampians is a great club, and now, playing at Geelong as well, I’ve found cricket is a great way to make some really good friendships.

“Fids (Stephen Field) has been really supportive and given me some great opportunities.

“I am also inspired by the WBBL players and can’t believe I play at the same club as Milly Illingworth, that’s pretty inspiring.

“I would love to play WBBL in the future, but in the short-term making the first IX in the premier league would be amazing.”

The Western Waves Region announced its Under-16 Boys squad to contest the annual Country Cup carnival in Albury each December, and Grampians batsman-wicketkeeper, Levi Templeton, was selected.

Templeton also gained selection for Fitzroy-Doncaster for the Dowling Shield after training and performing well for the premier cricket club in Melbourne.

Along with the boys carnival, the Under-15 Girls Country Cup is held in Hamilton at the same time and Eloise Millard earned her spot through impressive performances.

Finally, the Western Waves Under-18 Boys team that’s competing in the Victorian Country Cricket League competition had a resounding victory in round one of the 2024 competition against South East Region at the Warrion Recreation Reserve.

Eddie McShane (Grampians) is the captain of the team this season, and he led from the front in the win with a great skippers knock of 62-not-out, while South Portland’s Tighe Warburton also played well in capturing 1-5 to end the opposition innings.