An opportunity to promote women's cricket in regional areas and pass on her knowledge from the successful NSW Breakers program has convinced Southern Stars all-rounder Erin Osborne to join the ACT Meteors.
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The addition of the 26-year-old off-spinner and middle-order batter is a major coup for the Meteors as they attempt to win their first Women's National Cricket League title.
Osborne is in England with the Southern Stars as they prepare for the women's Ashes, starting with the first one-day international on July 21.
Originally from Taree, Osborne said it felt it was the right time to move away from Sydney and challenge herself with the Meteors.
"The program ACT are running at the moment, it's a really good opportunity to help the Meteors and try to progress them further in the national championship," Osborne said.
"There's a lot of young players coming through and hopefully I can play a role developing a winning culture.
"NSW have been wonderful, I've been a part of that program since I was 12 years old and winning a title in each of the past seven years has been something special.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunities I've had there, but now is the time to find a new challenge and help promote cricket in the ACT and the regional centres."
Osborne brings a wealth of experience to the Meteors, having played two Tests, 55 one-day internationals and 48 Twenty20 internationals.
The Meteors missed the finals of both the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions last summer.
They will only play in the 50-over format this season with the start of the Women's Big Bash League featuring teams from all eight men's BBL franchises.
"The most important thing I'm looking at is trying to contribute to the program the Meteors have already," Osborne said.
"There is a lot of talent there and I'm really excited where the ACT Meteors can end up this year.
"We're going to be very competitive and there is potential to be front-runners in the WNCL this year."
Meteors coach Andrew Dawson said Osborne would have the opportunity to develop into a genuine all-rounder.
"When you look at Erin's record, she is up there with any other female athlete in the ACT," Dawson said.
"She has played more than100 games for her country and been a part of multiple World Cup-winning campaigns.
"We're very fortunate to be bringing that level of player into the Meteors program."
