If any women or girls in the South Norfolk, Dereham or Norwich area fancy getting into cricket, then Great Melton is the place to be.

The club has been running a girls' group as part of its junior coaching programme for several years, but following an approach by Norfolk U15 manager and U17 mssistant Manager, Chris Brook, a decision has been made to enter the TGS Ladies League.

Chris could see a need for a ladies team that is based more in the centre of Norfolk as, other than the Norwich club at Postwick, girls in the county squads were having to travel to Winterton, Fakenham, Garboldisham or Lowestoft for competitive women's cricket.

With the strong infrastructure that Great Melton has, the club fitted the bill.

Chairman Steve Phoenix explained: 'The development of women and girls' cricket is an important target on the club's development plan and, although a venture into ladies adult cricket has come a bit sooner than expected, we felt the approach by Chris was a golden opportunity.'

It is hoped some of the girls in the county squads that are currently unattached will join Great Melton and these will be supplemented by the girls that currently attend the Friday night coaching sessions.

However, the group contains mainly younger (U11) girls. Chris and the club coaches are on the lookout for sporty mums of juniors, girls of secondary age and others who might like to try their hand.

Chris Brook will coach and manage the team with assistance from Women and Girls Coordinator Mark Cadge.

It is intended, initially, that the women and girls will train with the juniors on Friday evenings from 6pm until 7.30pm, but this will depend on numbers. If there are any females interested in playing cricket or who require further information, please contact Chris Brook on 01953 789368 or Mark Cadge on 01953 600166.

With all four of Great Melton's senior Saturday teams promoted last season, the club face a challenging campaign in 2012, but the build-up to the season started last Monday with the first senior net at the UEA Sportpark.

Nets will now be held every Monday from 6pm-8 pm at the UEA with potential new players welcome.

'With teams in the Norfolk Alliance Divisions 2 and 4, Norfolk League Divisions 2 and 5, Boyle Division 1 of the Mid-Norfolk Sunday League plus a midweek side we cater for almost every standard of cricketer' said the chairman. 'With six senior teams, five junior teams (U9s to U17s) and now a ladies side we also need lots of players.'