Scorps' latest

Scorpions set for big season

With new coach Russell Thompson at the helm and superstar batsman Karen Rolton ready for a big domestic season, the Scorpions look set for a promising summer.

After roles as South Australian Under 17 and Under 19 male team coach, Thompson said he is looking forward to seeing the results of the hard work done during the winter.

“Our preseason has been brilliant and all the players have been fantastic, working hard and developing new aspects of their game,” he said

“We’re looking forward to the chance to put our preseason work into game opportunities and challenging ourselves to see how our hard work has placed us.”

He said it was going to be a challenge working with new players in a new environment but admits the group has gelled well.

“They are a great group to work with that are passionate about cricket and prepared to work hard to improve,” he said.

The season starts off with a Twenty20 match against Western Australia in Perth on October 16 and Thompson said that with the extended season of the shorter format, the girls are keen to put their skills on show.

“Twenty20 is an exciting format, it challenges the players to find ways to improve all aspects of their games,” he said.

The big positive for Thompson will be having the services of Rolton for the upcoming season.

Rolton retired from international cricket in January this year and after destroying bowling line ups from around the world, Thompson will hope she continues domestically.

“She brings dedication, experience and obvious skill to the group and has already been working with many members of the group identifying areas for them to work on,” he said.

Along with Rolton, Thompson will also have the expertise of Shelley Nitschke, who has been named Women’s International Cricket of the Year for the past two years.

He hopes that having the pair around will continue to help him fast track areas on where the squad can improve.

“To have Karen and Shelley around is great for me as they provide an insight into the game at the top level – it’s a bonus for me,” he said.

Scorpions squad released for 2010/11

The South Australian state womens’ cricket team has been announced, with several changes to the squad as well as a new coach to lead the team.

Former SA Under 17 and Under 19 male team coach Russell Thompson will take on the Scorpions head coach role, working with assistant coach, Andrea McCauley.

Three new players have been added to the Scorpions, with Angela Symonds, Brittany Perry and Sarah Lowe all joining the squad.

Mr Thompson said he was looking forward to the challenge of working with the squad, developing skills and ensuring the younger members were given every opportunity to play and learn.

“I am looking forward to working with a talented and hard working group which has a blend of great experience along with developing talent. I’m sure they are all keen to work hard to improve all aspects of their games,” he said.

The squad will come together in July, after a series of individual meetings, fitness assessments and program development sessions have been completed during the next few weeks.

Scorpions 2010-11

• Sarah Carver - Sturt
• Tamara Clapton - TTG
• Alicia Dean - Sturt
• Neisha Iles – Northern Districts
• Sarah-Jane Jameson - Kensington
• Fiona McDonald - Sturt
• Tegan McPharlin - Northern Districts
• Angela Moritz – West Torrens
• Stephanie Morrison - TTG
• Shelley Nitschke - Sturt
• Rhianna Peate – Sturt/ South East
• Karen Rolton – Port Adelaide
• Megan Schutt - Sturt
• Kiara Stockley - Northern Districts/ Barossa
• Angela Symonds – West Torrens
• Lucy Williams – West Torrens
• Julie Woerner – West Torrens
   

Rookie

• Brittany Perry - TTG
• Jakarra Hill – Kensington/ South East
• Sarah Lowe - Kensington

Coach:

Russell Thompson

Assistant Coach:

Andrea McCauley

Four South Australians selected for under-18 female talent squad

The Women’s Youth Selection Panel (WYSP) has today announced a squad to attend an Under-18 Female Talent Camp at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane next week.

The camp will be led by a team of coaches headed by AIS-National Women’s Head Coach Richard McInnes and including Cricket Australia Spin Coach, John Davison.

The squad was selected by the WYSP consisting of McInnes (Chair), former Australia player Julie Hayes and former Australia captain Lyn Larsen. In addition to the National Under-17 Female Championships, selectors also took into account performances at the CA Women’s Cup which was held in Sydney in November 2009.

Cricket Australia Under 18 Female Talent Squad 2009-10

Nicola Carey NSW
Mathilda Carmichael NSW
Tamara Clapton SA
Katelyn Fryett TAS
Lisa Griffith NSW
Jakara Hill SA 
Rebecca Hollindale QLD
Jessica Jonassen QLD
Taylor Kayfoa NSW
Emma King WA
Meghan Lanning VIC
Katie Mack NSW 
Bethany Mooney QLD
Hayley Pattison QLD
Rhianna Peate SA
Celeste Raack NSW
Megan Schutt SA
Kara Sutherland NSW
Stephanie Townsend VIC
Hannah Trollip NSW 
Keegan Tucker NSW
Kate Waetford NSW

WYSP Chair Richard McInnes said:
“The Under-18 Talent squad concept commenced in 2008 and forms an integral part in assessing the talents of players in this age bracket before they move out of the youth system and into the first-class arena.”

“Jessica Jonassen and Meg Lanning have been named in the squad but will not attend the camp due to work load management and in Meg’s case, to allow her to prepare with her DEC VicSpirit teammates for the Women’s Twenty20 Final which will be held next weekend.

“A number of players in the squad have already experienced either junior international cricket or represented their states at the senior level. The WYSP is confident that more out of this group will be identified to quickly progress to higher honours and eventually the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad.”

South Australian Scorpions v Vic Spirit - Twenty20
7 January 2010, Adelaide Oval (double-header with West End Redbacks v DEC Bushrangers)

Tam's sting in Scorpion tale

Spress Newspaper, October 2009

IT’S not often a state cricket team enters a season with one of its players still in high school. What’s even more surprising is when the player has already debuted for the
team the season before.

Well, this is the case for South Australia’s women’s cricket team and their gifted teenage sensation Tamara Clapton. The 16-year-old became the youngest ever player to debut with the South Australian Scorpions last year, and recalls it as a very nervous occasion.

“It was just a complete rush and the nerves kicked in pretty quick. We played in WA and I made one, and that was a very nervous one.”

Clapton was given little opportunity in her debut however, as she strode out to the wicket with only five balls remaining, however she fi nished not out nonetheless.The teen has had a rapid rise on to the cricket scene, and it was at her brother’s training that the sport became serious for the schoolgirl. Clapton remembers how the boys threw her the ball at training thinking they would score some easy runs, yet ended up asking her to join the team.

“I went to his cricket training one night and they said do you want to have a bowl, and they were a bit surprised and asked me if I wanted to join in,” she laughs.

The Salisbury East High School Year 11 student was awarded the Scorpions most improved player last year, and after only one win last season the talented batsmen is hoping for an improved showing by both the team and herself this time around.

“We can definitely do better and that’s what we’re going to do this year hopefully.

I think I’ll be batting a little bit higher this year, so hopefully I can make some more runs.”

An Australian Under 18 squad member, Clapton will assume greater responsibility this year with the Scorpions, a emarkable fact, considering she is yet to enter her final year of secondary school. The emerging talent is hopeful of representing Australia one day, and has a desire that is sure to take her a long way.

“I’ve always strived on performing my best and doing my best, and I hate getting beaten,” she says. 

Scorpions pre-season ropes challenge

The Scorpions have been working with Sports Psychologist, Matti Clements, to develop leadership qualities and skills crucial for sporting succees. During the course the team were required to demonstrate communication, respect, decision making, descipline and honesty.

Alicia Dean explains that 'helping each other overcome our fears has allowed us to be a more respectful and empathatic group... although there were some hilarious moments that required some lip biting.'

Tamara Clapton also enjoyed the course, 'it was a real adrenalin rush... I loved every minute of it.'

The leadership group included Karen Rolton, Shelley Nitschke, Tamara Clapton and Alicia Dean. Rookie-listed player Jolande Winson and senior squad members Sarah Carver, Kiara Stockley, Tegan McPharlin, Lucy Williams, Angela Moritz, Neisha Iles and Fiona McDonald all participated.