Peter Howe
February’s Don Deeble nominee Mia Gordon might have some tough decisions to make over the coming years.
The 16-year-old is still in the Western Jets under 18 training squad hoping for a spot in their final team for 2024, but also part of Cricket Victoria’s Vic Metro under-16 emerging players squad.
The scholarship holder at Maribyrnong Sports Academy has spent three full years in the under 16 program and is hoping for a spot in the under 19 program.
“I really enjoy playing both sports and all of my coaches are very supportive of me playing the two sports at the moment,” Gordon said.
“Cricket is number one, but AFL is right up there.”
Gordon grew up playing both football and cricket for Caroline Springs, where she has played over 100 games in both sports for the club. She has now amassed over 240 games of cricket for her pathway clubs.
Gordon is growing up with three brothers and her parents, all of whom played cricket in the summer and Aussie rules football in the winter.
“My parents are great role models, they are the best, their message to all of us is to enjoy what you do and be the best you can be,” she said.
“I was eight years old when I realised I could get a Macca’s voucher if I played cricket and played well. That was my incentive to join up and play.”
Gordon was extremely disappointed to learn that the vouchers were not on offer after she joined but loved the game so much, she kept at it.
“I played in the Caroline Springs U11 boys’ team, I preferred to play against the boys because I saw it as more of a challenge early on,” she said.
Gordon was fast tracked and identified as a talented cricketer and was soon in the Victorian Metropolitan Representative under 12 team as a 10-year-old. She was then added to the under 14 and under 15 Youth Premier League Series. Soon the recruiters came knocking again and she was added to the Cricket Victoria under 15 Development Squad filling in a game as a twelve-year-old.
Gordon’s biggest break was to be selected in the first XI Premier Cricket team at Essendon Maribyrnong Park Cricket Club, aged 13.
“It was surreal,” she said.
“I was playing in a senior team with Australian cricketers, Molly Strano and Elyse Villiani. I put my quick progression down to playing with strong mentors and under good people who only wanted the best for me.
“I have had so much support from Rob Ward, George Shaw, Libby Howe and Alison Whan as coaches from the beginning. My work ethic is to train how you play and my desire to be the best I can be for the team.”
Gordon has recently returned from the under 16 National Carnival in Hobart, where she opened the batting for Vic Metro and was the team’s most valuable player for the tournament.
“We won the championships for the first time in 14 years,” she said. “It was a great experience and I wish I could play the high level games every week.
“Everyone in the team knew their role and understood the game plans. It feels great when those plans come to fruition and everyone in the team just clicks.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
