Tina is a fanatical cricketer both on and off the field. Having represented her state of Victoria at junior level for several years and making the Australian Women’s Youth Squad during that time, she has more recently dedicated her time to the development of the game at a grass roots level. Through the AusAID-funded Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) program Tina volunteered for 12 months as a cricket development officer in Samoa. Her experience has led to a new career, recently being appointed General Manager of the Samoan International Cricket Association.

Tina’s role involves working with elite cricketers, as well as with the junior development program operating throughout schools in Samoa. A highlight for Tina was starting up women’s cricket in Samoa. This has given Tina an opportunity to continue to play the game she loves and to develop the sport in a country that has never had women’s cricket before!

“Next year we’ve actually got a women’s cricket team, my women’s cricket team from Essendon, coming here to challenge a Samoan women’s team, so hopefully that will be a little bit more incentive for the women of Samoa to come and play cricket and actually represent their country. And in 2010 there’s going to be the first Asia Pacific Women’s Cricket Trophy and we’re hoping to host that.”