Women's cricket in Bermuda has long been the destitute relation of the sport, but all that is about to change.

No longer relegated to a mere afterthought by the powers that be, the female cricketers on the Island are about to get their own league. At least that's the plan.

A Super Six competition at Shelly Bay in August will be the launch pad for the league, with national team players Maryellen Jackson and Rachael Smith hoping the day will bring out players young and old.

"What we are trying to do is to get a women's league started, and this is the initial part," said national head coach David Moore. "It's a legitimate women's sport, it's our national summer sport, and it should be open to everyone."

In the build-up to the August 7 event, players will have the chance to be coached by Moore for two hours from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. starting July 14. And the eventual plan is to include the women's development squad in the Bermuda Cricket Board overall development programme.

Jackson and Smith, who run the women's development team, have been pushing for more cricket for some time.

"We've been slightly ignored in the past, an afterthought. We're hoping this league will generate an interest to allow us to sustain training throughout the year," said Jackson.

"Playing against women is necessary rather than against boys or men. It's more realistic. It's not real cricket for us when we're in that position."

n Anyone interested in playing in the Super Six event, or coaching the women's senior team, should contact the BCB on 292-8958.