Southern Districts face Tracy Village in the Arafura Connect DDCC Women’s Division 1 Grand Final at DXC Arena on Friday, 18 September, from 6pm, bringing together established performers, NT representatives and emerging players already making their mark in senior cricket.
The decider comes in a season when women’s registrations in the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition increased by 23.8 per cent, with 12 teams competing across two divisions. Alongside that growth, opportunities are expanding for players to progress from introductory programs into club cricket, the NT Academy and representative teams. [Women’s Cricket Growth]
Southern Districts’ Hannah Armstrong and Tracy Village’s Ekam Dhillon, Joanna Pickett, Phoebe Murphy, Eliza Jagger and Krystelle Jones all played in the opening match against the Afghan Refugee Women’s XI in May. The series marked the return of the NT Women’s Strike for the first time since 2019, giving local players the chance to represent the Territory together on home soil.
Earlier this year, Hannah Armstrong helped guide Ekam Dhillon and Joanna Pickett at the National Championships in Launceston as assistant coach of the NT Under 16 side. On Friday, the young Tracy Village pair are set to face their representative coach as they look to deny her back-to-back club premierships.
Dhillon and Pickett are two clear examples of the opportunities taking shape through our female pathway. Both are members of the 2026 NT Female Academy and have progressed into senior representative cricket while contributing to Village’s finals campaign.
Dhillon has become a key all-round player for Village, scoring 592 runs and taking 17 wickets across the competition’s formats this season. Pickett has claimed 13 wickets, strengthening an attack that also features Jagger and Jones. These young players are already being trusted with important roles in senior cricket. [Women's Div 1 Season Statistics]
Village’s mix of emerging talent and established performers came together in the preliminary final against PINT. Dhillon’s 53 helped build a total of 3/130 before Jones took control with 6/3 from 3.3 overs. Jagger removed both openers and Dhillon added two wickets as Village secured an 80-run win and another opportunity against the Crocs. [Preliminary Final Scorecard]
Southern Districts bring their own experience of delivering on the biggest night. Rachel Andrew’s unbeaten 55 and Hannah Armstrong’s unbeaten 37 helped secure last year’s title against Waratah at DXC Arena. They return with the opportunity to make it consecutive premierships. [2025 Grand Final]
Kelly Armstrong has been central to their campaign, contributing 531 runs at an average of 88.50. For Village, Alana Horsfall has compiled 679 runs at 67.90. Their wickets will be among the most valuable on Friday night. [Batting Statistics]
The Crocs have won three of the sides’ four meetings this season, including their shortened opening-round finals clash. But Village’s nine-wicket victory in June provides a reminder that they have the players to challenge the defending premiers. [Season Results]
For girls beginning their cricket journey through Colour Blast, Social Smash or their local club, Friday offers the chance to see where the game can take them, from representing the Territory to helping their club compete for a premiership.
For the players taking the field, the focus will be firmly on bringing the trophy home.
Join us at DXC Arena from 6pm this Friday to support Southern Districts and Tracy Village in the 2026 Women’s Div 1 Grand Final.