The only girl full of fire on a team full of boys
She would also like to play alongside Joline at Benoni Northerns and hopefully be her batting partner in the near future.
Laerskool Rynfield Grade Three learner, Marichelle Lubbe (9), started playing cricket when she was only six years old.
She played for the likes of Benoni Northerns and her school, which led her to be the only girl to be chosen for the Olympic Paints Sporting Supermen cricket team for the 2021 LPL Tournament.
The entire team consists of boys and Marichelle.
“I am very excited to have been chosen for this team,” she said.
“I love playing cricket, it’s fun and one day I am going to play for the national team.”
Benoni Northerns nominated the best players to go for the trials of which Marichelle was one of the players.
“A total of 33 players were chosen, only 23 were invited to the second round of trials before 15 players were nominated for the team,” said Christo Lubbe, Marichelle’s father.
Marichelle has been racking up achievements since joining the sport and with so much life to go, who knows what else she is going to achieve.
“She enjoyed being the mascot for the Northerns women’s team, although she is very much a part of the team as well,” said Christo.
She also fondly remembers getting the opportunity to practice in the nets alongside the women’s team and warming up with the women’s team before the league game “hits” off.
“I enjoyed being assessed by the Easterns Women’s provincial coach and then being told that I could play for the u-13 Easterns girls’ team,” said Marichelle.
This arrangement was organised for her by Joline Smit (Benoni Northerns Women’s Cricket vice-chair).
But there is also so much that Marichelle has in her pipeline of dreams.
“I want to be a part and play for the Benoni Northerns Women’s cricket team,” she said.
“I also want to represent the club at Easterns and lastly be a national player.”
She would also like to play alongside Joline at Benoni Northerns and hopefully be her batting partner shortly.
“I feel that Marichelle has got so much confidence and is very motivated towards her goals,” said Joline.
“She has already been asked to play for the u-13 Easterns team but her mom and dad feel she is too young at this current stage, but boy is she fierce.
“She has so much potential in this sport and as she grows she will only get better.”
Marichelle looks up to many local players that she on occasion has the chance to watch.
“I also look up to Madison Landsman who is well known at Benoni Northerns and Easterns and would like to play in our provincial side with her,” she said.
Lastly, she wants to be captain for the Benoni Northerns Women’s team one day.
“From our side, I would like to thank the people who have created the needed platform and opportunity for her to follow her passion,” said Christo.
“Benoni Northerns for backing her all the way and getting the needed structures in place for girl’s all-round, and also to Laerskool Rynfield for giving a girl the opportunity to be involved in the boy’s cricket trails.”
Bennett van der Berg, Olympic Sporting Supermen coach and Marichelle’s LPL coach, said:
“Marichelle is a little go-getter that doesn’t back down from any challenge that comes her way. She has passion and determination on and off the field, which makes her a unique individual.
“All that she needs to do is to stay motivated, persevere, and maintain her love for the game of cricket, then she will reap the benefits of her hard work.
“It is a great privilege and honour, for me as a coach, to have such a dedicated young lady on my team. All the best with your cricketing career Marichelle and stay true to who you are.”
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