NICOLE FALTUM KNOCKS ‘EM FOR SIX

“I captained some underage teams, and I captained my club team, Dandenong Women’s Club, and still captain them. But it’s never really something that was at the forefront of my mind until I started doing it. And now that I’m doing it, I’m really enjoying it and both the on and off-field leadership stuff is pretty cool.”

The talented Gippslander has already amassed a long list of tours and achievements, with the obvious highlight playing for her country.

“A real highlight for me would be the under 19s Australian Tour I went on. Not so much for the performances or because it was the Australian team, it was just a really cool team and a really cool set up. We toured to South Africa and the following year we went to New Zealand, so that was pretty cool. I think honestly playing for my state and captaining my state. Being captain of Victoria is pretty cool, I didn’t realise it until recently how big of a deal it is and how much of an honour it is.”

One thing Nicole does realise is just how lucky she is to be able to live out her dream of playing professional cricket, as an Australian woman.

“Being in Australia we’re so lucky that there are so many opportunities for girls to play, not only cricket, but female sport. I think it’s probably still got a fair way to go especially in country and regional areas. The city I think provides some really good opportunities for girls, but I still think it would be really nice to have more girls’ competitions in the country that allow girls to play in their own competition.”

Her advice for girls who are desperate to follow in her footsteps is not to let anything get in your way.

“I think it’s the same with anything, if you want to do something then nine times out of ten there’s usually not much stopping you. So, I’d say if you can do it, just jump in and get involved. Some of my favourite cricket has definitely been with Trafalgar Cricket Club playing in the under 14s and under 16s boys’ competitions and playing with some of my closest mates from school and I was so lucky they were all so amazing to me. I’d say any chance you get to play, whether it’s boys or girls, whatever it is, jump in and give it a crack.”