KANGAROO Flat girl Jasmine Nevins says she can't wait to don her navy blue cap and represent Victoria at the national schoolgirls cricket championships in Brisbane during January.
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The 12 year-old received confirmation of her selection in the state girls 12-and-under team this week and is already itching to get her hands on the shiny new red Kookaburra.
Jas, as she is known to family and friends, was one of three Northern Rivers region players selected to try-out for the School Sport Victoria team back in March.
She was initially nominated to try-out by her St Monica’s Primary School physical education teacher Cath Williams.
Catching the selectors' eye at a series of training sessions held in July, Jas was invited to take part in the final trial in Melbourne during September, comprising two T20 games.
Her performances were enough to clinch a spot in the Vics’ squad for the January 8-15 championships.
A relative newcomer to the sport, Jas said her initiation to cricket had come in the backyard against younger brother Aaron and boys at school.
She spends her Saturday morning representing BDCA club Kangaroo Flat's under 14 A and B teams, perfecting her right-arm medium pace bowling and handy middle order batting.
"I really like it at Kangaroo Flat, the coaches are really nice and the players support you," she said.
"They are not arrogant, or anything like that.
"I love it - I haven't missed a game yet."
Jas has a solid cricket pedigree, with dad Luke and her uncles involved with the Inglewood Cricket Club.
But despite her obvious love for cricket, the budding star has plenty of other sporting interests to keep her busy.
The multi-talented sportsgirl splits time between lining up for Bendigo Basketball Association club Generals and non-competitive swimming, and will next season play netball for Golden Square.
Victoria will play five games in Brisbane, with the first of three pre-Christmas team training sessions in Melbourne on Sunday.
"I am looking forward to being coached at an expert level by the Victorian coaches,” Jas said.
“They are all really good and offer really good tips.”
A highlight already of her state-level experience has been meeting Southern Stars cricketers Anna Lanning, Emma Inglis and Kathleen Hempenstall.
