Expressions of interest have been called for by the BCA, which is asking clubs to nominate girls teams for the 2015-16 campaign.

The youth girls competition is expected to be standalone, catering for 15-18-year-old players and may involve current Ballarat school sides.

Clubs are being asked to nominate teams by April 30.

The BCA, as part of its strategic plan, has released an outline of how it will invest more time and resources into the female game.

Three tiers for girls have been set out by the BCA and endorsed by Cricket Victoria.

The structures set for implementation next season include an entry-level competition for 10-11-year-old players – using a T20 Blast style of game – where girls with higher skills would be encouraged to join the BCA under-13 ranks and play with and against the boys.

Under-14 girls would continue to be part of the existing junior competition, which last season featured an all-girls team and individuals playing in mixed sides. An increase in all-girls teams could open up the possibility of a standalone division in this age group.

The youth girls competition would be the next step forward before players are encouraged to join Napoleons-Sebastopol’s senior ranks and compete in the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association.

BCA president Rob Florence said the youth girls competition was the key element to the structure and said clubs from other associations were welcome to nominate teams.

Florence said Naps-Sebas would be the beneficiary of the BCA’s three-tiered approach in the long-term. “If we call (Naps-Sebas) the premier women’s team because it’s involved in a statewide competition, we can see real benefits to the numbers for that moving forward if we can develop something underneath,” he said.

“We are really excited about what we are offering and then it’s up to clubs, schools and other associations. If they have the interest there, this is a format that they can join.”

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au