Time for the ladies to take centre stage, so our next 10 Questions are delivered to club secretary and 1stXI captain Staci Maxwell…
1. Tell us who you are and where you’re from?
Staci Maxwell, from Carryduff
2. What schools did you attend?
Saintfield High and Grosvenor Grammar
3. How did your cricketing journey begin?
Saintfield High ran an afterschools cricket club in the summer term and I went along as athletics was never really my thing, but was always involved with sport and just thought I would try something new.
As cliched as it sounds, from that first time I was hooked.
4. What has been your cricketing highlight to date?
Winning the challenge cup pretty early on in my time with north down.
Captaining the club 1stXI will always be something I’m proud of.
5. Favourite player of all time?
Freddie Flintoff
6. Favourite ground?
Unbiased answer, The Green!
7. What is your role at North Down CC?
Women’s 1st XI captain, club secretary and youth coach.
8.What do those roles involve?
Coaching the youth in the club at different ages groups as well as going to games with them.
Organising the 1st XI women to participate in league and cup games throughout the season. Thankfully I have a lot of support in this which makes life on the pitch a lot easier and allows me to focus on my own game as well as game management.
Being a POC (‘point of contact’ for the unedumacated) between the NCU/Cricket Ireland and North Down, whilst being a part of the decision making process on the executive committee.
9. Hopes for 2024 season for the women’s section?
Continue to grow playing numbers from youth the whole way up to senior ladies cricket. The 1’s came second in both the league and cup last year, so it would be amazing to win some silverware this year.
10. Your tip for a big cricketing future in the club?
Alexis Macdonald – Alexis improves week on week. Her confidence is growing with the ball and her positive attitude to take on board coaching advice to help develop her game stands her in great stead to continually get better.
Thanks Staci, it’s great to see the women’s section of the club continue to grow…
