Women athletes in field of their own
NEARLY a year ago, a piece of sandpaper produced one of the darkest days in Australian sporting history.
A few months later, the Southern Stars won the world T20 title and finally gave cricket fans something to celebrate.
Former Australian cricket captain Jodie Fields believes that team culture is the main reason why female sporting sides never produce scandal- ous headlines. “Culture is something the Australian women’s team has done really well over the years,” she said.
“There’s a lot of education these days about being good role models on and off the field and I think that’s something, particularly as a female athlete, we’ve had to get used to.
“As a female athlete, you’re studying and working and trying to play professional sport at the same time and that’s where we’re at.
“I think we’re all good people and we just want to do the best for our country.”
Fields, the first Queensland woman to captain Australia’s national cricket side, said she had revelled in her home state’s recent performances.
“It’s been great seeing Queensland achieve success on the cricket field,” she said.
“In the past, that was a passion of mine to play for my state so to see the Brisbane Heat girls win (the BBL title) was awesome.
“It’s an amazing time to be a female cricketer and cricket is improving all the time.”
Queensland may have Fields to thank for the next generation of female talent after the 34-year-old established her own personal scholarship which helps promising young female cricketers.
Business has also emerged as a post-cricket passion for Fields who has recently taken on an ambassador role with Brisbane-based specialist food and drink manufacturer Flavour Creations.