After years of joining interstate sides at the Cricket Australia Masters National Championships, Northern Territory women will head to Tasmania this November with two teams of their own.
Local players and volunteers involved in Masters Cricket NT have worked together to make the trip possible, bringing Territory women to the championships under their own banner.
The teams will compete in Division 2 and Division 3 at the 2026 Women's Over 40 National Masters Cricket Championships, held in Tasmania from 15 to 20 November.
NT Cricket congratulates everyone involved and recognises the efforts of Masters Cricket NT in creating more opportunities for Territory women to play cricket, travel and enjoy the friendships and experiences the game has to offer.
Division 2 captain Tracey Foley has experienced the previous arrangement of joining interstate players and is delighted to see the Territory fielding its own sides.
"In previous years some of our players competed alongside South Australia, but now we've reached the point where we can field two teams of our own," Foley said.
"It just shows how much women's cricket has grown. To have two teams travelling to Tasmania to represent the Territory is a fantastic achievement."
The growth of women's cricket has been particularly encouraging for Foley, who is pleased to see more women enjoying the game through Masters competitions.
"Women's cricket is growing everywhere, but it's great to see that growth in the Masters space as well. The older girls are sticking around and still giving it a crack."
For Foley, the opportunity to captain one of the Territory sides adds another personal highlight to the trip.
"To be the captain of a Northern Territory Masters women's team is pretty special," she said.
"I was overwhelmed when I found out. It's an amazing feeling and something I'm really proud of."
Division 3 captain Kelly Gulliver has a different story, having taken up cricket just five years ago.
"I only started playing cricket five years ago," Gulliver said.
"If someone had told me back then that I'd be travelling to Tasmania to captain a Northern Territory Masters women's cricket team, I wouldn't have believed them.
"I'm really proud of how much I've learnt about the game and how much the women's cricket community has grown during that time."
Gulliver's experience also reflects the friendships and sense of community that have become an important part of her cricket journey.
"Most people in the Northern Territory weren't born here," she said.
"Being part of a cricket community and a group of strong, passionate women helps you feel connected to something bigger. That's what makes this cricket community so special."
With a week of cricket ahead, Gulliver is looking forward to sharing the experience with her teammates, both on and off the field.
"I know there'll be plenty of laughs, plenty of joy and plenty of stories that come out of the week," Gulliver said.
"If that's what we take away from the tournament, I'll be happy."