Kinross prodigy Phoebe Litchfield’s already had a massive 2017.
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She represented Western Zone, made history with the region in the first all-girls’ Western NSW Junior Carnival and scored her maiden ton in that tournament too.
The 14-year-old’s year just got bigger though, she’s been named in the Sydney Thunder’s 2017-18 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Academy squad.
Litchfield is one of seven up-and-coming female guns named in the Thunder’s Academy program for the coming season, she’s joined by Dubbo star-in-waiting Emma Hughes.
The Western duo will head to Sydney several times during the Thunder’s WBBL campaign, where they’ll train with the entire squad and also be immersed in the electric greens’ camp on game day.
They’ll receive specialist coaching from former Australian all-rounder Jo Broadbent and ex-NSW Sheffield Shield star Dom Thornley
They’re joined in the Academy squad by Penrith’s Ashley Day, Parramatta’s Hayley Silver-Holmes, Universities’ Olivia Porter, Cobargo’s Jade Allen and Goulburn’s Isabella Greig.
Stoked with the call-up, Litchfield said it will be invaluable experience.
“It’s pretty cool, it’s pretty surreal. There’s three from my age group, there’s a few older players too,” Litchfield enthused.
“Being around people like (Thunder skipper and Australian batter) Alex Blackwell and getting that kind of first-class training, it’ll be really good. I’ll be able to bring it all that experience back to cricket here too, which will be great.”
True to her humble nature, Litchfield didn’t want to label the selection a stepping stone toward a potential career in the sport because she is only 14.
She preferred to call it a chance to become a better player, but did admit eventually pulling on the electric green in a WBBL game would be “amazing”.
“That’s a long, long way away,” Litchfield smiled.
“But yeah, that’d be pretty amazing if it ever happened.
“I guess being a part of this now will be a good way to maybe get noticed and get that experience, become a better player, so you never know.”
Of course, it’s not just cricket Litchfield excels at.
She’s a superb middle-distance runner and also made her Premier League Hockey debut with Confederates in 2017, along with representing NSW’s under 15s as well.
All that helped earn her a nomination for the Orange City Council Junior Sportsperson of the Year award.
With more higher honours coming every year, it’s fair to suggest the phenomenal talent might have to start thinking about choosing which sport she’ll focus on long-term.
Not just yet though, Litchfield says.
“I’m not really sure,” she laughed, when asked which is her favourite sport.
“The training for cricket, with this kind of thing, is becoming a lot more serious now.
“So I’m probably leaning towards cricket at the moment, but then hockey season rolls around.
“Being able to play for NSW and Confederates is really cool as well, so I don’t really know.
“I think I’ll wait until I’m a bit older to decide, if I have to.”