In an exciting new initiative, Canterbury Cricket are today launching a new cricket competition for schoolgirls called the Milo League.

The competition has been introduced to the local cricket calendar in order to give opportunities for primary school-aged girls to play cricket in an unthreatening atmosphere and will be played over the next five Friday afternoons.

The game format will see all players participate in batting, bowling and fielding. In another important innovation, all fixtures will be umpired by females from the State Canterbury Magicians or the Lincoln University Scholarship programme. This will give young players the chance to meet and identify with crickets finest female role models.

Team entries exceed expectations of event co-ordinator Doug McSweeney who said, "To get 14 teams involved in the competition at the first time of asking is an excellent result. Schools have shown enthusiasm and hopefully the teams will all get enjoyment out of the competition. One of the main aims is to get the girls to become involved in more structured games, through playing for clubs. We hope to create links to ensure it is made easy for them to do this."

Teams have entered from all over Christchurch and include two sides from Belfast, Diamond Harbour, Kaiapoi Borough, Lyttleton Main, Tai Tapu, Burnham, Roydvale, Parkview, Windsor, Paparoa Street, Northcote, Avonhead and St Martins.

Sides have been zoned in groups to start and pool winners will progress and the semi-finals. The grand final will be on March 22.

© Canterbury Cricket Association