Aspiring women's Big Bash all-rounder Saskia Horley hopes Canberra can be added to the Twenty20 schedule as she aims to break into the competition.
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The capital is preparing for a bumper summer of cricket, with a men's Twenty20 clash between Australia and Pakistan to be played at Manuka Oval in November.
The calendar also includes the Prime Minister's XI, two men's Big Bash games and women's T20 World Cup fixtures.
But the women's Big Bash, which will be run as a standalone competition for the first time this year, is yet to book games in the capital.
Cricket ACT officials were hopeful of securing at least one of two yet-to-be-finalised fixtures on the Sydney Thunder match list, but no announcement has been made.
Cricket ACT and the ACT government have been working with Cricket Australia to finalise a six-year deal for content at Manuka Oval.
Horley was in Canberra on Wednesday as part of a cricket blitz to ramp up interest for junior registrations.
The 19-year-old former Australian junior captain hopes to make her WBBL debut for the Sydney Thunder this year and wants to see women's matches in Canberra.
"Opening the idea up for more women's cricket is definitely on the horizon, the men have had matches in Canberra so hopefully there are women's in the future," Horley said.
"I'm really proud to be a part of the sport and this stand alone and to use this as a test to see how women's cricket has grown in Australia.
"It recognises how much work we've put in the last couple of years and whats been able to happen after becoming professional."
Horley was one of two aspiring NSW players in the capital visiting schools in an attempt to spark cricket engagement with juniors.
Their spent the day at Harrison Oval hosting a question and answer session with year three and four students, while Horley also visited Girls Grammar and Hadley conducted an open training session at Marist.
"Obviously its a really exciting opportunity, to connect with those communities and hopefully see them attending games and being involved," Horley said.
"I was a kid once and if i had been given that opportunity I would want to participate."
"For me my role here is to try and inspire these kids and I guess hopefully they end up playing cricket themselves, but overall just making sure they have a good experience and a fun time."
Hadley was a part of the NSW Blues squad last season but his first season was riddled with injuries.
"Hopefully this season and push forward for playing for the Blues like every kid wants to and I always did so if i can stay on the park then it should take care of itself and I can play," Hadley said.
The 20-year-old fast bowler sees participation growing in Canberra, along with a strong fan base for the game he loves.
"Definitely, you only have to look at the games played at Manuka [Oval] and look at the crowds there, especially the test match last summer," Hadley said.
"There is a fan base here that will continue to grow and participation will go along with that so it's great to see."
The Thunder men's side will have two of their homes game played in Canberra, the first against Adelaide Strikers on December 21 before the Melbourne Renegades arrive on January 15.
Horley will be part of the women's Thunder squad and a standalone season comes at the perfect time for the developing all-rounder, who is knocking on the door for a regular starting spot in the side.
"It's my second season and hopefully there are plenty of opportunities for me to make my debut and then become a regular."
The Thunder women's team starts its season with a matchup with crosstown rivals the Sydney Sixes on October 18.
