Cobargo cricketer Jade Allen, 17, has penned a deal with the NSW Breakers as one of three exciting additions to the professional roster.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officials said Jade was "a prodigious leg spinner" and will join with Claire Moore and speedster Maitlan Brown as new additions to the line-up.
Jade said the selection was the fulfilment of a life-long dream and has driven her development since picking up the bat and ball as a junior.
"I've always aspired to play for the Breakers and to be a part of it since I was a child, so this is an all-time dream come true."
Jade said she was excited to have Claire as a team-mate as they have developed through the same pathway over the past three years.
"Claire is my age and we've been in the pathway together since we were about 15 back at the Nationals in Canberra," Jade said.
And Jade sees that same contest as being the catalyst for her selection.
"The NSW/ACT Country side was probably the catalyst," she says. "It kind of opened my eyes to the level of difficulty and intensity the girls train at."
Jade hailing from Cobargo and Moore from Richmond, are both finishing their HSC this year and will fit training in around their school commitments before joining the Breakers program full time later in the year.
"They've been really good about saying 'school first' so the focus is on the HSC and I guess the balance between the two [school and team] is probably the biggest challenge I'll face."
Breakers Head of Female Cricket Leah Poulton said she was also eagerly awaiting the opportunity for Allen and Moore to join the Breakers squad.
"Jade Allen and Claire Moore have been standouts in our pathway programs and thoroughly deserve their opportunity to step into an elite program," Poulton said.
"Jade is a skilful young leg-spinner from the South Coast who will add variety to our attack, while Claire was the leading run scorer in Women's First Grade this season.
"We place significant value on Premier Cricket and this selection is great reward for Claire after a dominant season."
Jade said there will still be plenty of travel in her near future with training to take place in Sydney, but she plans to move there with her brother Jack once the HSC is dealt with.
"Travel has been a big part of my life and still is," Jade says with a laugh. "I'm just so excited for all of it - and living in the city of course."
"[Moving] will be much easier and less strain on the folks now that I have my licence I'll be able to do all that travel for myself."
The ink has barely dried after confirming the deal on Monday, but Jade said she was looking forward to being part of the team and said the pathway program will help her settle in.
"I've been up a few times during the pathways program so I have trained with them a few times and being familiar with some of the girls is really helpful into transitioning.
"Some of the coaching staff have been involved in the pathways as well which is really good.
Experienced mentor Ben Sawyer is Acting Head Coach and will guide the squad alongside Poulton, while the recruitment process for a permanent Head Coach is undertaken.
Brown was born and raised on the NSW Mid North Coast and played much of her junior cricket in the state before signing a rookie contract with the ACT Meteors for the 2016/17 season. The same season she made her WBBL debut for the Melbourne Renegades.
The 23-year-old has been a member of Cricket Australia's National Performance Squad for the past few seasons and in 2020 was named in Australia's limited-overs squad for their home series against New Zealand, but has yet to make her Australia debut.
She suffered a snapped hamstring during last summer's WBBL but has now recovered and believes she is stronger than ever.
"I'm super excited to be back in NSW and playing for the Breakers," Brown said.
"It was bad timing with snapping my hamstring last season but rehab has gone well and I am chomping at the bit really to be able to play again.
"I actually feel stronger and more athletic now than I did before the injury and just cant wait to get out there again."
Poulton could not hide her excitement at Brown's decision to head back home to NSW.
"Maitlan is a product of the NSW pathway and we are thrilled to have her back with us," Poulton said.
"She is a is a quality fast bowler and an excellent all-round athlete. She's also a fantastic team person who will add a great deal to our environment."
Leaving the Breakers are Lisa Griffith, Maddy Darke and Hayley Silver Holmes.
Poulton thanked the three departing players for their efforts over the last few seasons.
"Lisa, Maddy and Hayley will not be returning to the Breakers program this coming season," Poulton said.
"All three have made a fantastic contribution during their time with us and we wish them well for the next chapter of their careers."
The squad will return to pre-season training in June.