GIRLS & WOMEN
KCC is committed to providing dedicated coaching, technical skills training and leadership skills for on and off the field. Everyone trains in overlapping shifts on Monday afternoon / evening at Kelburn Park. We invite girls participating in the Young Leaders programme to provide some assitance coaching, and our experience women provide mentorship to our aspiring players.
WOMEN'S TEAMS
Karori Cricket Club’s Premier Women’s teams compete in Cricket Wellington Women’s Divisions 1, 2 and 3 as composite sides with Brooklyn, Eastern Suburbs, and Vic Uni. The Division 2 team features talented young players progressing from junior cricket, including Wellington age-group reps, aiming for promotion to Division 1. The Division 3 team is a social 8-aside side.
GIRLS HARD BALL
Girls Hardball will again be offered in two grades: Girls Hardball and Premier Girls Hardball. Introduced by Cricket Wellington, this structure provides a clear pathway for players—whether they are new to hardball or ready for a more competitive level.
Both grades are played on Saturday afternoons (generally from 2.00pm), which allows girls the option to also play Saturday morning Mixed cricket, if they wish.
Premier Girls Hardball (Years 8–11)
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Our top girls hardball grade
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For girls who have previously played hardball cricket in the Mixed grades, Girls Hardball, or are confident and capable new players
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Most players are also involved in College Sport Wellington competitions
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Pitch length: 20m (to align with college competitions)
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9-a-side
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T20 and T30 formats (no grace period)
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Batting retirements remain, and all players are expected to bowl
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Coaches are encouraged to rotate batting and bowling orders to support all-round development
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Year 7 players may be included only if they are genuinely ready for this level – decisions should be based on player development, not team numbers
Girls Hardball (Years 5–9)
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Entry-level, development grade for those new to hardball or still building confidence
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A girls-only alternative for Year 5 players not ready for Mixed Grade 5
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8-a-side
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16-over pairs format and T20 matches (with a 6-ball grace period)
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Pitch length: 16m
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Designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for players at various stages of learning
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Fill-ins should come from Girls Soft Ball grades, not from Premier Girls Hardball
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If more experienced players are used as fill-ins, they should not dominate play (e.g. bat lower, reduce bowling pace)
GIRLS SOFT BALL
We’re excited to offer a full girls-only Soft Ball cricket pathway for those who prefer not to play in the Mixed grades. Cricket Wellington has run a Year 5–8 Soft Ball grade for several seasons, and last year introduced a Year 2–4 grade.
After reviewing the ages and abilities of girls involved across both grades, Cricket Wellington has made some tweaks to ensure all players are getting an age-appropriate and enjoyable experience.
The updated Girls Soft Ball Grades for 2025/26 are:
UNDER 8
This new grade replaces the previous Years 2–4 grade.
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Created to better support younger players by grouping them with others at a similar age and stage.
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Focuses on skills-based activities (similar to Nursery Grades), followed by a 6-a-side game where possible.
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All teams play at the same venue.
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A Cricket Wellington staff member will be present for the first few Sundays to help guide parents and ensure things run smoothly before handing over to parent volunteers.
UNDER 10
For players ready to play structured matches but not quite ready for a full-length pitch or stronger opposition.
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Games are 6 or 8-a-side, on a 16m pitch.
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Pairs format: Each pair bats for 4 overs.
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All players will bat, bowl, and wicket keep.
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The focus remains on fun, learning, and building skills.
UNDER 13
This grade follows the same format as the former Year 5–8 grade.
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For teams ready to play 8-a-side games on an 18m pitch.
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No lower age limit – if a team has mixed ages and is ready for this level, they’re welcome.
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Pairs format: Each pair bats for 4 overs, all players bowl and wicket keep.
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Scoring in PlayHQ is optional – the focus is on enjoyment and development.
GIRLS & WOMEN'S COMMUNITY HUB
Our ambition is to build a girls cricket hub and we need more girls (and mums, sisters, aunts...) to join us!
KCC is committed to growing the girls' game by providing opportunities for girls and women
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to play at all levels
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to develop their capability, on and off the field
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to grow their love for cricket
Background
To show our committment to growing cricket for girls and women, KJCC introduced a Girls Convenor role to our committee structure in 2021, to focus on providing support and advocating for girls' cricket. This role fosters positive relationships with our players, their families, other girls' teams in the region and Cricket Wellington. This role is active in the Cricket Wellington Women and Girls' Working Group which has facilitated stronger connections between teams and provided a forum to discuss and solve the challenges being faced.
The role has evolved and is now called Women and Girls Convenor. With a newly refreshed Board which is chaired by Sally Morrison, the club aspires to provide opportunities for all girls and women to be part of a community built for and by them.
Building a Girl's and Women's Cricket Community
Our goal is to provide a place of belonging where girls and women can thrive and develop into confident leaders, on and off the field.
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Building belonging
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High performance and year-round engagement
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Technical skill development
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Soft ball cricket development
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Leadership and principles: Our community will be guided by principles such as whānaungatanga, manaakitanga, and placing the needs of girls and women at the center of decision-making. We will emphasize fun, friendships, happiness, and building confidence in self and community. Our commitment to Te Ao Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi will be integral to our operations.
Advocating for Women and Girls
KCC works in partnership with Cricket Wellington to support initiatives such as YEAH! Girls - a social, fun, free, inclusive way to give cricket a go. We partner with local clubs to share opportunities with our girls' community. If you have an event, training or initiative in mind, we'd love to hear about and get our girls involved.