Canning Cougars Tee Ball Club (Inc) got its first all-girl team this season – the Flames.

On the weekend the Flames did us proud at the Huntingdale Tee-Ball Club’s annual Natasha Bakranich All Girls Tee-Ball Carnival. It was the Flames first inter-club outing. Nine of the twelve players have only played 6 weeks of Tee-Ball, yet their performance on Sunday was amazing.

After three honourable and close losses they finished strongly at the tired end of the day, beating Wanneroo-Joondalup 17 runs to 10 in their finals.

Sunday was perfect weather for Tee-Ball, although perhaps a little blustery, and our Flames took advantage in this final game to prove their mettle.

It is fair to say that Wanneroo were bigger and more experienced, but they fell for the classic mistake of opting for power batting over placement, and our players grabbed their opportunities, holding a number of memorable catches that flew their way.

The All-Girls Tee-Ball competition has struggled since inception, with the first couple of years having hardly enough teams to warrant a competition. This season is wildly different. There were twenty-five teams from nineteen clubs battling it out on Sunday.

Some of the Clubs are far bigger than Canning Cougars and have a lot more girls to choose from when forming their teams but the Flames already show they can punch above their weight. This certainly proved to be true in the game against Wanneroo, which is one of the largest clubs in the Association in terms of player numbers.

I was struck by the way the Flames worked together and supported each other. And I was struck by the support the team had from their friends and family, particularly the Dad’s. Their delight at their daughters’ performances was wonderful to see.

The Flames are also supportive of the competition itself: Coached by Ebony St Quintin, the team were happy to welcome two girls into the team from Carine Tee-Ball Club, who would otherwise not have gotten a game. It was a great example of the very best sporting behaviour. In the same vein our Club is grateful to Roleystone Tee-Ball Club (Roleystone Diamond Sports Club) who hosted two of our players from the Scorers so they could compete in the U/10s competition.

Yes, our Flames did well, and some team members already display the killer, never-say-die instinct that sporting greats must have, but we must remember they are a very young team at the start of their careers, and they will have their ups and downs. However, as long as they are prepared to learn, to accept their mistakes, to practise hard and to work as a team they are going to be very, very hard to beat!

Thanks to all the Mums and Dads, the Coach, Manager, Supporters – the whole team behind the team – and our amazing players.

Onwards and upwards to the Flames!


Steve Klomp

President