Dalzell named Cricket Ireland Female Club Player of the Year
Despite the many restrictions we’ve had to endure in the past 12 months, 2020 has been a very good year for Bready CC’s Alana Dalzell.
The 19-year old has, along with Eglinton’s Zara Craig, been making her mark in the Women’s Super Series and the pair have also been named in the Ireland Women’s Academy for 2021.
She made her debut for Bready’s first team in August last year, bowling superbly in a win over Strabane and on Friday night Alana won the O’Neill’s Women Club Player of the Year.
Speaking at the weekend, the trainee Physiotherapist was thrilled with her award but was focused on her progress in the year ahead.
“It was difficult with so little cricket being played last time so we’re all hoping that things will be better this summer.”
“I’m a competitive person so I always want to be pushing myself. I play regularly for Bready thirds but I want to be playing in the seconds and in the first team.”
“I wasn’t nervous when Davy (Scanlon) told me I’d be playing in the senior team last year. I know all the boys already and I also work in the club bar so it wasn’t as if I was a new face. We all socialise regularly so that made things a lot easier.”
“I suppose it’s slightly different when we travel to the Super Series or Ireland training squads. The girls there all know each other already and many of them go to school together.”
“Last year we had a lot of Zoom meetings and I actually found that a big help. I got to know the rest of the group a bit better and it felt more like being on the same level.”
“In the same way that I want to play club cricket at the highest level that’s also my ambition in the Irish set-up.”
“It’s not just important for me to do well for myself or for Zara to do well. The North West has work to do in women’s and girls cricket and the clubs here have a big part to play in that. Here at Bready we now have an under 13 girls team and if they can see us doing well it gives them something to aim for.”
“It was really nice to be given this award and I’ve had loads of lovely messages since getting it. At times with not much cricket played last season it was a challenge to get motivated.”
“My focus now is on the year ahead and I am determined to make the most of my chance.”
