Premier Women's Cricket (2022/23 season)

THE TEAM 

We have a strong squad consisting of 2 current NZ White Ferns, 1 contracted NZ Development player, 2 u19 NZ reps and 4 other Canterbury Magicians plus some very skilled ladies who have been playig cricket for years. However we are always on the lookout for new teammates.... so contact us if you are looking to cahnge clubs or if you are coming to live in Christchurch.... (maybe even have a look at the scholarships section of this website)...  

​​​​​​​COME AND JOIN US FOR A SEASON FULL OF FUN AND FRIENDSHIP !!

COACH AND COACHING SUPPORT (You won't find better)

We were thrilled that Kirsty Bond is coaching the team again this year - has any other premier side got a coach with such wonderful credentials ? Kirsty has played for NZ as a batter (with a world record), coached Canterbury and recently been a NZ White Ferns selector. So the girls won titles , improved their individual techniques, mental skills, understanding of individual strategies and tactics.  The culture within the group is fantastic. In addition we are thrilled to have other highly qualified and experienced coaches involved in our training programme.  

In addition we also offer specialist 1:1 coaching with our range of coaches within the club

Our club patron is Sarah Illingworth - a  former NZ womens captain, wicket keeper and top order bat. She keeps a keen interest in our womens team and does some specialist keeping practice as well.   

HISTORY
Saints has arguably the most proud womens history unmatched by any other New Zealand club. The mens club was formed in 1905. There was a completely separate St Albans Women's Cricket Club.  In 1975 negotiations were opened to amalgamate the mens and womens clubs. The two clubs decided on a trial association during which the women would have the use of net practices and club facilities. The knot was officially tied at a special meeting in the spring of 1977.

Established in 1937, St Albans Womens Cricket Club  had won more women's championships than any other club at the time of the merger and in its heyday fielded two evenly selected senior teams which often keenly contested the title.

Its formation could be traced back to the demise of a High School Old Girls club. Of the three enthusiasts, two lived in St Albans - Helen Steere and Joan Stevens - and wanted to continue playing. They joined with Peg Hooper and the naming of the fledgling club as St Albans was not difficult, with Malvern Park to be the home ground in that suburb. It remained the club's base until the late 1960s.

The feats of legendary Phyllis Blackler are interwoven into the history of St Albans women's cricket. She was a veritable female W G Grace, her representative career spanning an incredible 35 years and including tours to Australia in 1938 and 1958 and England in 1954 and 1966. Blackler's highest Test score of 68 was achieved on that farewell tour; in 1946/47 she had made Canterbury's first double century; and she bowled with success at all levels.

When Ann McKenna captained Canterbury against England in 1968/69 she had seven club-mates alongside her. McKenna and Janice Stead, who had toured England in 1966, played in the Tests against the tourists, while Stead, Jackie Lord, Denise Jelley, Sue Rattray, Vicki Burtt (née McGregor) and Sheree Harris earned international honours in the 1970s.

Saints women over the years have won more than 100 titles, we have had 3 NZ captains (including the incumbent, over 25 women represent NZ and over 50 women represent either Canterbury or another major association. No other NZ club can boost such a record ! 

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