Holly Nagpal, 15 years old- A passionate Cricket Player

Holly Nagpal, 15 years old-

A passionate Cricket Player

Daljeet Bakshi Satinder Chawla

Holly Nagpal is a quietly spoken, yet fiercely determined 15-year-old who has an amazing passion for cricket. Her passion was born from her parents, Nick and Sangeeta, and her younger brother Harrith. “I tried many sports as a young person growing up but from the moment I picked up a cricket bat, something inside me just clicked. My family comes from India, where cricket is a religion,” explained Nagpal when I asked why she chose cricket, she said “My father is my number one supporter and coach. He has been with me since I first picked up a bat.”

At the age of nine Nagpal joined her younger brother’s cricket club, BurnsideSprings United CC. “I had great fun making new friends and learning how to play the game. I loved the challenges our coaches set me to improve.” Nagpal won the Coaches Award in her first season and in her words, “that motivated me to get better.”

Nagpal is a medium fast bowler. “It is the beauty in the run up and the action of bowling that I love about becoming a bowler. I am tested a lot more with my batting, but I am up for the challenge.” Nagpal made her first representative side in her second season of competitive cricket. She represented the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association in an Under 12’s tournament. So successful was her debut in representative cricket, Nagpal has continued to be selected in representative teams from the Youth Premier League Under 14’s with the Western

Holly Nagpal, 15 years old-

A passionate Cricket Player

Spirit to the Youth Super Series under 14’s with the Melbourne Renegades. In 2018/19, Nagpal was selected in the School Sports Victoria Under 12 team that travelled to Western Australia, with her team finishing third.

Nagpal’s bowling statistics are impressive. She took her first hat trick in the Under 14’s Boys Team at Burnside Springs United. Her best figures came in her first season with Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club in Victorian Premier Cricket. Playing in the Seconds, Nagpal took 5 for 20 from 9 overs. Nagpal was selected in the Under 15 Victorian Female Team when she was 12 years old.

“My favourite player is Steve Smith but I closely role model Australian players, Molly Strano, Georgia Wareham and Elyse Villani who all play for Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club. I not only watch what they do on the ground but what they do off it to prepare to be the best they can. I was lucky enough to be selected in the First XIs and played a few games with them. What better way to do it than work and practice hard as I watch these amazing role models close up. My aim is to represent Australia one day.”

Nagpal has a very mature approach to her sport, one that has no doubt has been moulded by her family, her coaches, and the Maribyrnong Sports Academy (MSA) where she has been on a sporting and accelerated learning scholarship since year 7.

“A typical week during a cricket season includes Strength and Conditioning training at MSA on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These sessions can also include meetings with the nutritionist and sports psychologist. We work with medium weights to improve our core strength, upper and lower bodies. We work on resistance type training to improve our power base. Conditioning sessions also include interval running and sprint sessions. Cricket training with MSA is on Wednesdays. Cricket training days for representative and club teams vary for me throughout the week depending on schedule and workload. I train with Essendon Maribyrnong Park on Thursdays.”

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Nagpal. She has a strong message for young athletes that she didn’t do. “I missed a lot of games in 2019/2020 when I didn’t listen to my body and suffered a stress fracture in my shin.” She urges all young athletes to be open and honest with coaches, doctors and family about how you are feeling. “A fit and healthy body is essential for good performance. Listen to your body please.”

Nagpal is developing into a young leader, which is being recognised by her clubs. She has had various roles as a vice captain and captain in both her local and representative teams. Her ability is now being recognised. She received a Victorian School Sports Award in the Secondary School category for cricket excellence in 2020/21. This year Nagpal has been selected in the Cricket Victoria Under 16 Female Emerging Player Program.

Throughout her cricket journey Nagpal has had her feet firmly planted on the ground. While her passion for cricket is infectious, her focus is purely on learning her craft in a very process-oriented manner. “Every time I pick up a ball or a bat, I learn something about myself that I can use to improve my skills. My school work is equally important to me.” Nagpal received a 2019 and 2020 Sports Director’s Award recognising her academic achievement in the previous 12 months as well as State or National representation.We all look forward to following Nagpal’s cricketing journey.

Nagpal is the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club, October Don Deeble Sports Star Award winner. Her award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank and the Deer Park Club.