WOMEN'S sport has been the hot topic in the news in recent weeks with the national football team, the Matildas, withdrawing from their US tour because of the pay dispute with their governing body, Football Federation Australia (FFA). So the US tour was canned.
The Matildas and the players association would not play ball with Football Federation Australia.
The Matildas claimed the Socceroos were getting a far better deal. They were right to blow up.
This leads me to my next point on how good it is to see Cricket Australia getting the runs on the board with better pay, conditions and opportunities for women cricketers. There is still a fair way to go but it's progressive.
The club that has spawned so many topliners in NSW and Australian cricket is the St George-Sutherland Women's Club.
The Slayers have several international and state players including Riverwood's Rene Farrell and Cricket NSW Breakers team player Nicola Carey.
Farrell is just back from the successful Australian Shooting Stars team tour of England where she played a prominent role in the team regaining the Ashes.
Farrell and Carey have now signed on with the Women's Big Bash league team, the Sydney Thunder.
The inaugural WBBL starts on December 5.
Nicola Carey's story featured in the Leader, September 24.
Carey said to be a player in the women's game now is exciting. She said the opportunities created for players in the WBBL can only further boost the profile.
Last summer Carey belted 464 runs at 42.2 playing for the Slayers and the attacking left-hand batter is a real talent.
Farrell, Carey, Celeste Raack, who is back after a stint with the Tasmanian Roar, and New Zealand internationals Kate Pulford and Abby Burrows are in the Slayers' ranks this season.
Mishal Shah, Alexandra Adam and Georgia Reid, are other Slayers players to watch out for, I am told by club officials.
Most women cricketers, unless they have full-time jobs with cricket associations or bodies, must hold down other jobs and manage training to make it at the top level.
NRL Grand Final
Brisbane Broncos play North Queensland Cowboys this Sunday night at ANZ Stadium. I believe Brisbane will win with coach Wayne Bennett their trump card.
