The Devon Under 15 Girls set off for Colombo today for the start of the first-ever Tour of Sri Lanka. Find out more about the tour by reading this year's brochure.
The girls will also become the first female team to represent Devon in an overseas tour since the Women's Under 21 squad travelled to South Africa for the 2018 Women's Cricket Festival.
PREVIEW
On that tour was captain of Devon Women, Steph Hutchins, who will be joining the girls on tour in Sri Lanka as a coach:
"To this day, those moments remain etched in my memory, both on and off the field. Our tour was of immense value to the team; not only did we forge stronger bonds with our teammates, but we also experienced profound personal growth.
"The tour was more than just refining my cricket techniques; it was a life experience. Those moments beneath Cape Town's Table Mountain expanded my horizons, on the field and within myself. The memories from that tour continue to shape my approach to the game and life beyond it."
Women & Girls' Development Officer, Ann-Marie Presswell, is also no stranger to overseas Devon tours:
"I was lucky enough to go to South Africa as a parent of under 15 twin boys and so know first-hand how important this tour is to broaden the cricket playing experiences, but more importantly for the players to experience a different country and culture and expand their understanding of the world.
"I am proud to be part of the first Under 15 Girls tour to Sri Lanka. My role on the tour is to make sure the girls embrace and enjoy their tour as much as possible, making the most of every game they play and place they visit.
"Every young lady starting her cricket career in Devon now has the chance to have her hard work and dedication to the game rewarded with an overseas tour, just as the boys do in their county pathway programme."
Devon Women Lead Coach, David Joseph, also joins the tour, bringing his own experience of touring the country as a player:
"The anticipation of returning to Sri Lanka fills me with excitement and I’m keen to see the changes that time has brought when we revisit the places that I enjoyed as a teenager.
"Exploring ancient ruins, venturing into rainforests full of wildlife, and lounging on golden beaches, each player will forge unforgettable memories in the breathtaking landscape of Sri Lanka."
Completing the coaching lineup on the tour is Managing Director, Matt Theedom, who has managed several of the South Africa tours alongside Matt Cooke:
"We have been working for a long time to expand our overseas offering within the Performance Pathway and we are excited that we will be bringing the girls' pathway in line with the boys' by running an Under 15 Girls' tour.
"So many players within our pathway have benefited from overseas tours, from current senior players Katie Donovan, Rebecca Halliday and Steph Hutchins to professionals such as Amara Carr. We are keen for this to now be a more established part of the development of young female cricketers in Devon."
THE SQUAD
- Darcey Boote - Plympton CC
- Sophie Brandom - Ottery St Mary CC, Topsham St James CC and Whimple CC
- Lucie Carwardine - Ivybridge CC and Plympton CC
- Freya Cleveland - Clyst St George CC
- Holly Evans - Bovey Tracey CC
- Ella Gill - Paignton CC
- Naomi Hancock - Paignton CC
- Maggie Haffenden - Plymouth CC
- Megan Hayward - Plymouth CC
- Lily Innes - Plympton CC
- Rosie Johnson - Plymouth CC
- Immy Prickett - Plymouth CC
- Keeley Willcock - Plympton CC
This year's Sri Lanka tour begins on Friday, October 20, with the team setting off today, and finishes on Sunday, October 29.
Keep up to date with the latest from the tour on our Facebook and Instagram, and also on Lions Sports Travel's Facebook and Instagram.
