Cricket Ireland have named both their U19 and U15 girls training squads ahead of the 2017 season.
The squads will both hold training camp weekends in April and also feature in the prestigious Malvern Festival later in the summer.
Irish international Ciara Metcalfe is at the helm of the Under 19 squad, with Sandi Harrison as her assistant, while Rob O'Connor is Head Coach of the Under 15 squad, assisted by former international Julie Logue.
"I am honoured and privileged to be given the opportunity to work with this talented Under 19 squad," said Metcalfe. "This age group is hugely important and I'm hoping to help further develop their game and take them to the next level.
"It's very important we work closely with this squad and provide top coaching, allowing them to develop their cricket skills and confidence.
"Overall it's a very exciting time for women's cricket around the world. And, I can't wait to work with the next Irish superstars, helping to get them ready for International cricket," added Metcalfe.
O'Connor too is relishing the prospect of moulding the next generation of young Irish internationals at a time when the women's game is expanding both in numbers and popularity around the globe.
"It is a very exciting time for women's cricket at the moment, with the senior squad retaining ODI status, and Kim Garth and Isobel Joyce performing so well in The Big Bash," said O'Connor. "There is a growing number of women and girls playing across the country, and this has all had an impact on the international youth programme, with young players seeing a future in cricket, like never before.
"We started indoors a few weeks ago, and the girls have started well, giving it 100% and showing a willingness to learn. They will have 10 sessions before Easter and then a National Weekend in Bready Cricket Club. For the first time ever, the girls have a strength and conditioning session every week, taken by Tomas Young and Karl Kelch," added O'Connor.
"This year's pre-season squad includes five players from last year’s squad, and 12 new players, coming from not only the Leinster region, but also the North West and Northern Cricket Union. A team will be selected from this squad during the summer to travel to Malvern."
O'Connor also welcomed the appointment of Julie Logue as his assistant saying: "It's great to have Julie Logue involved with the squad. Her experience playing at the top level will be very beneficial to the girls."
Ireland U19 Girls Squad
Sadhbh Breslin, Ruby Neville, Leah Paul, (all Merrion), Anna Kerrison, Ellen Ridgeway, Rebecca Stokell (all Leinster), Grace Flanigan, Lara Maritz , Caoimhe Mc Cann, (all Malahide), Katie Boylan, Aisling Byrne (both The Hills), Natasha Morton (North Down), Orla Martin (Phoenix), Aoife Beggs (YMCA), Cara Murray (Saintfield), Hannah Little (Pembroke), Alana Dalzell (Bready), Anna Kirk (Clontarf), Shana Lipson (North Kildare).
Coach – Ciara Metcalfe, Assistant Coach - Sandi Harrison
Fixtures/Training Camp
U19 Girls National Weekend – 22 and 23rd April – North County Cricket Club
U19 Girls Malvern Festival – 22nd – 25th August
Ireland U15 Girls Squad
Cliona Tucker, Eimear Mullen, Louise Little, Orla Prendergast (all Pembroke), Sarah Condron , Aisling McCormack, Isobel McCormack (all Malahide), Beth Dimond, Maria Kerrison, Isabel Saed Maguire (all Leinster), Emma Paul (Merrion), Ali Keenan (Phoenix), Amy Hunter (Instonians), Aoife Brennan (Clontarf), Klarissa Walser (The Hills), Molly Streek (YMCA), Zara Craig (Eglinton).
Coach – Rob O’Connor, Assistant Coach/Manager – Julie Logue
Fixtures/Training Camp
U15 Girls National Weekend – 22 and 23rd April – Bready Cricket Club
U15 Girls Malvern Festival – 7th – 10th August