Skipper hopes all-Aboriginal cricket team will inspire others

Bluff Point’s captain Kavita Pepper hopes her team’s success in the inaugural women’s Twenty20 competition in Geraldton will inspire others. “The season went really well for us,” she said. “We had a few losses, but we got back up. The grand final was awesome. “Everyone fielded well, batted well and bowled well. It was another good competition and we’re looking forward for next year. “We’re really proud of ourselves with how we went, the first women’s team and the first Aboriginal team in the inaugural women’s team competition.” She said that should motivate others to get into the game. “Just give it a shot. Half the girls in the competition haven’t played before, but they gave it a go and they loved it, so we’re looking for more teams to build it,” she said. “The more teams the better.” She said the team was hoping for more success going forward. “We’re all looking forward to next season. I’m very proud of them all, all year we kept our heads high. Thanks for playing all year,” she said. Pepper said she got into cricket by accident, after she was talked into it by organiser Lennelle Papertalk. “I just play a lot of sports, and cricket wasn’t the sport I liked,” she said. “But I give all the sports a shot. “Lennelle got me into cricket and asked me to give it a shot … it’s a different sport with different challenges. “I’ve been to Sydney, Adelaide and India with my cricket. If you love your sport much and want to go further, you can see how far you can go. “If you want to have a sporting career just chase after it. “The young generation should follow their dream and go as high as they can go.” Pepper said she had been living in Geraldton for about 16 years and played softball, basketball and Aussie Rules as well as cricket. “It’s good sporting-wise, it’s good here to meet new people and make new friends,” she said.