Help me get to the Cricket Nationals in Ballarat

Hi, my name is Isabella Eisenmenger from Wondai. I am 12 years old and recently selected to play for Queensland in the 10-12 Years Girls National Cricket Exchange in Ballarat, Victoria.

I was initially selected to play for South Burnett and was the only South Burnett player chosen in the Wide Bay team at the trials in Maryborough last month. From there, the Wide Bay team travelled to Ipswich to compete at the State trials, where I was captain of our team, which made me very proud. To my surprise, I was chosen as an all-rounder (batter and bowler), being the only Wide Bay player selected for the State team, predominantly made up of Brisbane and South Coast players.

I am hoping to follow the path of other girls in this area that have progressed to the State and National levels, such as Holly Ferling (Australian women’s team), Renae Irvine (Brisbane Heat), and Courtney Sippel (Current Brisbane Heat player).

I have realised that coming from the South Burnett, it is tough to get to this level. With limited opportunities for girls, in particular, to play regular cricket, I have had to rely on my dad to help me with my batting, bowling, and fielding. I have not been in a club, and my dad has coached me for the past three years at the old Wondai cricket nets (where every second ball flies through holes in the back wire mesh), preparing me for this moment.

The costs are very high with travel, accommodation, and levies (Currently, my family has checked out prices to total more than $6000). I have started this Gofundme page to seek financial sponsorship to help reduce costs and support my dad and I getting to Ballarat for the National Exchange to play with and against the best 10–12-year girl cricket players in the country.

I will make a special sponsors shirt that will display anyone who can assist in any way and also mention the names and businesses of people who offer support (with your permission). I hope local news outlets will also feature a story about my recent achievements to support this.

I will get to do something many kids my age strive for in all sports and never get the opportunity to do, and I am so proud to have this opportunity and want to make the most out of it.

Thank you very much for any support you can provide.

Isabella

Estimate of costs from Nov 16-26, 2022

(Nov 16 -18 Training camp at Ipswich)

(Nov 19-26 Ballarat National Exchange)

Cricket Levy: $761.12

Uniform: $661.50

Flight: $ 2156.00

Gear / Equipment: $442.00 ( Batting pads $79, Cricket bag $105, Kookaburra Bat $199.00, Kookaburra Thigh pad $59)

Car parking Brisbane airport: $145.00

Car hire in Ballarat: $432.00

Accommodation Ipswich and Ballarat: $2200.00

Food: $500.00

__________________________________________

$7297.62