Cricket Australia has today announced that Tasmania has gained full admittance to the Women’s National Cricket League, following the Cripps Tasmanian Roar only playing in the Twenty20 competition in their debut season in 2009-10.

Cricket Tasmania Chairman Tony Harrison said the decision by the Cricket Australia Board was an exciting and very important achievement for the Cripps Tasmanian Roar players and a great boost for women’s sport in Tasmania.

“Cricket Tasmania has a strong desire to strengthen the involvement of females in Tasmanian cricket and this outcome is a huge step forward for us.

"This step will provide our female cricketers with greater opportunities to push for national selection and I am confident this will significantly assist the participation, promotion and success and overall future of women’s cricket.

“With Cripps Tasmanian Roar’s inclusion in the Twenty20 competition last season our players were able perform at the higher level and gain increased confidence, which they did with considerable enthusiasm and success.

“The strong crowd at the first Women’s International Twenty20 at Bellerive Oval in February was a great example of the increasing interest in women’s cricket and Cripps Tasmanian Roar bowler Katelyn Fryett’s selection in the national Under- 21 squad was another significant accomplishment,” Mr Harrison said.

Last season Cricket Tasmania also expanded its female underage competitions and launched female grade competitions which attracted positive interest throughout the state. Female cricket participation at all levels also doubled in Tasmania last season helping the state to achieve the highest participation rate increase in Australia.

The Cripps Tasmanian Roar 2010-11 squad is expected to be announced in the coming weeks along with the official WNCL fixture which will see Cripps Tasmanian Roar compete in the Twenty20 and One-Day forms of the game that comprise the Women’s National Cricket League.