One hundred and thirty Central girls got a taste of sports often dominated by boys - cricket, rugby and soccer at Alexandra’s Molyneux Park yesterday.

The Fern Fever sports day was a collaboration for girls in years five to eight only, between three sporting associations: Southern Football, Otago Cricket and Otago Rugby.

Cricket development officer Sophie Gray said the activities included modified and inclusive games in a fun and safe girls-only environment to build skills in cricket, football and rugby.

“We’ve had three women’s world cups now, and days like today are to keep the buzz going in our region.”

Watch a highlights video (1 minute 15 secs) showing some of the small sided games. VIDEO: The Central App 

Omakau School year seven students (from left) Pip, Izzy, Charlotte and Sophie play a speed game to develop cricket fielding skills.

Girls strike a pose after a soccer passing drill with women’s development officer Kirsten Pram. 

St Gerard’s school students learned about sideline flag signals for soccer referees.

Alexandra Primary School, Clyde School, Omakau School, St Gerard’s School, The Terrace School and Roxburgh Area School sent groups of students to take part in four sport filled hours from 10am - 2pm. 

Coaches from the three sporting associations were on hand to inspire youngsters, including player representatives from the Otago Spirit rugby team.

Groups rotated around skills stations, which covered passing, scoring tries, dribbling, hitting the wickets, umpire flag movements and relays. Small sided games were played like non-stop cricket and rippa rugby.

Otago Spirit rugby players Barbara (Barb) Kuruleca, Georgia Cormick and Lucy Cahill ran the rugby rotation and said it was fun, but almost a bit too hot for rugby when the sun was shining.

Otago women’s rugby players (from left) Barb, Lucy and Georgia. 

Students The Central App spoke to said they would definitely return again to the next Fern Fever day if given an opportunity to, and they would consider joining local clubs after the fun they had playing rugby, cricket and soccer. 

Fern Fever has been held in Dunedin already, and in term one of 2024 it will be Queenstown, Invercargill and Oamaru. 

PHOTO/VIDEO: The Central App