The dramatic development of women’s cricket in Scotland should to be recognised for what is, a wonderful extension of a great game, now available to youngsters of both sexes.
In particular, we should be delighted at the progress our ladies here in the North East are making on the national and international scene, having two players in the Scotland team, currently demonstrating their skills in the World Cup south of the border is so gratifying for us all.
Kirstie Gordon and Ailsa Lister, both from Huntly, bear testimony to the great work at Castle Park. Well done to Neil Nicol and his dedicated team who have included Calum Howard, and current club captain Jack Mitchell.
In fairness, there are other clubs in the area who have devoted themselves to looking after the future, including Aberdeenshire, Banchory, Ellon Gordon, Fraserburgh, Stoneywood Dyce and Gordonians, although for most it is only in recent times that there has been an emphasis on girls.
I am also delighted to see one of the area’s top players of yesteryear making his way on the international stage where he is coaching in the woman’s game.
Neil Macrae, a former Scotland and Aberdeenshire player, was always in my book, set to be a top line coach given his depth of knowledge and understanding of the game.
When Aberdeenshire won the double in 2009, he was key to the remarkable feat, plotting strategies in the company of the more outgoing Matthew Hays, the captain of the Mannofield men. The combination proved lethal, bringing Edinburgh’s best sides to their knees on a number of occasions – no mean feat.
Since Macrae left Mannofield, he has coached the Austrian men’s national team, Jersey, and played a big part in preparing the Netherlands women’s team for the current World Cup., before moving back to Jersey 6 months ago.
But then it was almost inevitable that the dedicated Liverpudlian should become a top coach, given that he had in turn one of the best coaches in the late George Murray who was a top man on and off the field.
Macrae said of his mentor:”Even on cold winter Saturday mornings when we could not get on the grass, George would have us training in the car park. He was a great, thorough coach with a good attitude. I learned much from him.”