In the second of a series of articles to promote girls and womens cricket at Hartlepool Cricket Club, this time we meet Tilly Parker. Tilly has played cricket at Park Drive for a number of years. Like Emily Sirs, in September, 2020 Tilly featured in an article by Durham Cricket Women & Girls as part of the ECB’s Women’s Big Cricket Month.

“Hi, my name is Tilly Parker and I play for Hartlepool Cricket Club and I’m 12 years old. I started playing cricket at the age of 8 and I’ve enjoyed it ever since. When I first started at Hartlepool, I was the only girl there and now there are three age groups and over 30 girls playing. To see all these girls enjoy playing cricket is pretty impressive!

When I started, the first game I played was a softball tournament at Norton Cricket Club for the boy’s U9s, which we won. Since then I have played for the boy’s U11s, U12s, U13s and U14s. I currently captain the girls U13s team. I was also selected to play for the Durham County girls U13s team in 2020, which meant playing teams like Northumberland and Yorkshire and travelling as far as Goole, although Park Drive is probably my favourite ground and setting!

I enjoy playing at Hartlepool because everyone there is so kind and willing to help you improve and become the best cricketer you can be. My favourite part of training is the nets and batting. I also enjoy the catching and games we play. Cricket also helps improve my skills and discipline for the other sports I play.

Whilst playing at Hartlepool I have made many friends, both boys and girls, who also love playing cricket. Also, my mam and dad love taking me to the cricket club, particularly for training on a Friday night when the Sun’s out!”.

David JB Thompson, (Chair of the Junior Section), said : “Tilly is an excellent all round cricketer. Those who have coached her are vey impressed by Tilly’s temperament and her willingness to learn. If Tilly continues to develop her skills, she’ll have a very bright future in cricket. Tilly is a great ambassador for the Cricket Club and is very supportive of her teammates. Tilly’s county selection has been fully deserved. She is definitely a role model at Hartlepool Cricket Club”.

The next article will feature the Junior Section’s newly appointed Women and Girls Representative, Kathryn Semple.