The best I can be

Oak Flats teenager Zoe Richards did just that, going on to become an integral part of the NSW U15 team that won the Christina Matthews Shield for the fifth time at the Cricket Australia national championships in December last year.

With no play possible in the final, the experience left Zoe unable to describe just how much the achievement means.

She now hopes to continue to work on her game after early batting success against South Australia (26no), Victoria (28) and a top score against ACT (39).

It was my goal to make the team, said Zoe.

I had to check on the Internet to see if I made the team and I felt really happy and very excited that I had the opportunity to represent my state.

After having two weeks to prepare, the opener was quick to experience the demanding workload of national level competition after being thrust into an intense training camp prior to the national championships.

We trained on the first day all day, with a one-hour beach run and relays. It was pretty hard but it was good.

I had two weeks to prepare and like to keep pretty fit. I train really hard mostly with my Dad and if not I like to do some shadow batting and work on the batting tees.

Zoes father, Dave Richards is a well respected coach of the Illawarra Academy of Sport womens squad and has coached Southern Zone U14 and U16 representative teams for a number of years.

Mr Richards' support of his daughters cricket has been a positive influence, as Zoe explains.

My advice to anyone is to just get out there try your best and train hard. Anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.

I was really nervous before my first game but I just talk to Dad and he usually calms me down. I like to think about why I am there and the job I have to do now I will be working harder than ever before.

Long term I would like to play for Australia one day and just be the best player I can be, added Zoe.

Zoe also plays U16as for Oak Flats with 16-year-old brother Brynley, who is a leading batsman for The Rail CC in the Illawarra Credit Union South Coast District Cricket first grade competition.