A HISTORY making all girls team will compete in the Airedale Junior Cricket League when the season commences in April.

The formation of an all girls team was announced at the annual meeting of the League at which a number of new officials were appointed.

For the first time in its history, and possibly elsewhere in junior cricket leagues, it is expected that a girls only team will compete against established junior sides.

The Under-9 team, the West Yorkshire Girls Cricket Association, will be based at Pool-in-Wharfedale CC, and will be run by coaches Glenis Peel and Wendy Bolton.

It follows on from a taster session they held at Pool-in- Wharfedale last summer.

Initially the girls will form an Under-9 team in a new Under-9 division to be launched by the Airedale Junior League.

The Girls Association is keen to establish a girls team but they do not wish to poach girls who are already happy playing in the boys' teams at their clubs.

They are however happy to accomodate any girls searching for a club who are having difficulty finding a team.

League President Brian Wheeler, of Burley, said: "The League wishes to congratulate West Yorkshire Girls Cricket Association on their enterprise and look forward to their participation.

"It is also expected that an under-9s league will be created and local cricket will ultimately benefit from these developments. In addition more teams are anticipated to join the under-11s league.

"The future of cricket is certainly healthy locally despite the shortcomings of the national side!"

It is expected that the under-9s league will play on Sunday's alternating home games with the Under-15s.

"We have had interest in forming an Under-9s league from about 11 clubs but even if there are only three or four we will go ahead with a league of some kind." We are keen to get this off the ground.

"We understand that Addingham will withdraw from the Under-17 league but numbers will be kept up as Ilkley are to return at under-17 level.

"We will continue to run leagues at Under-17, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11 levels but the divisions will be formalised at our meeting on January 20," said Mr Wheeler.

The league has a new Secretary and Fixture Secretary following the retirement of Roger Parker (Burley) and the long serving Derek Leadley (Hall Park).

John Milner from Rawdon will undertake the administrative functions and the former role of Derek Leadley will be organised by former League Secretary Colin Simpson (Calverley), as the Results Secretary, and Howard Scurr (Old Leos) as Fixture Secretary.

Brian Wheeler (Burley) and John Harrison (Burley) retain their positions as President and Treasurer respectively.

The league is also trying to develop a relationship through the senior league's Umpires Association to ensure that more of their cup games are staffed by neutral umpires. Currently only cup finals and play-offs have neutral umpires.

"We are seeking more independence and authority in these games," said Mr Wheeler.

The league is grateful to the continued sponsorship of Yeadon firm PC Sports.