Emeralds Excitement Elevated as New Season Approaches...

Whatever is the opposite of a ‘spoiler alert’, I’ll start this article with one. If you’re an avid follower of social media, some, but only some, of the content of this piece may seem familiar.

However, if like me, for you, the plethora of social media platforms remain an anathema, then hopefully, you’ll find the following to be both informative and better aligned with your preferred manner of receiving news.

As I type, I’m looking forward to another long distance chat with Courtney Gounden, who will be Sessay CC Emeralds’ overseas professional for the 2025 season.

Courtney will arrive in the UK from Durban in South Africa during the coming week.

Amongst her may attributes, Courtney plays women’s franchise cricket in SA, has a degree in psychology and works as a counsellor.

Metaphorically speaking, Courtney has large cricket boots to fill . . . Olivia Gain from New Zealand became Emeralds first ever overseas player last season, making a huge success of her time at Sessay CC.

Olivia scored over 1,000 runs for Emeralds 1st XI in all competitions, helping the team to do the Yorkshire league and cup double as well as reaching the semi-final of the ECB Vitality National Club T20 competition.

Since Emeralds first match in 2014, the squad has been heavily dependent on well coached, enthusiastic teenage girls who love playing cricket.

A further testament to this was that in addition to many teenagers contributing to senior successes in 2024, a ‘young’ U19 Emeralds team were beaten finalists in the ECB Vitality National Club T20 U19 competition.

During 2025 Emeralds will aim to build on other successes form last season, not least in the junior ranks.

A principal objective will be to consolidate the practice of having senior players undertaking coaching roles with all of the age group teams – U11, U13 & U15.

All of these teams play in the Hambleton Junior Cricket League; the U13s and U15s will compete in the national knockout competitions, too.

An entirely new departure for 2025 will be the introduction of an Emeralds (women’s) softball team which will replace what was Emeralds 3rd XI (hardball).

























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