THE impending end of the rugby league season can only mean one thing.

As fields transform into pitches in the coming weeks, cricketers are getting ready to pad up for the season ahead.

Girls don't have to miss out on the fun this summer.

The Cric Hit program for girls age8 to 13 will start at Jamison Oval, Penrith, on October 19.

It's an eight-week program that runs for 90 minutes each week and is supervised by a co-ordinator, employed by Cricket Australia.

Cric Hit caters for all abilities in a fun environment, in which participants can learn all the necessary skills of the game.

The first four weeks focuses on developing skills, followed by a four-week tournament against other girls from Cric Hit centres across Sydney.

Steve Perry co-ordinates the Penrith program, which was the largest in NSW last year, with 40 girls taking part.

He is expecting greater numbers this summer, following the Women's World Cup, which was held in Sydney earlier this year.

Cric Hit is in its third year in Penrith.

``The great thing about Cric Hit is there are no boys and it is non-competitive,'' Perry said.

``We hope to get many girls into the sport. We also welcome younger participants, as all girls have similar abilities when they start playing.''

Perry will run the program with the help of daughter Keira, 13, a Cric Hit graduate.

The Dharruk teenager has developed into a talented all-rounder since she was approached about playing representative cricket, while practising with her brother three years ago.

She is one of 16 girls part of the under15s NSW Emerging Breakers squad.

She also plays under17s grade cricket for Campbelltown-Camden, is an under15s Penrith representative and plays for Colyton/St Clair at club level.

Keira hopes to follow in the footsteps of rising Australian women's star Ellyse Perry (no relation).

She even has pet names for her cricket bats.

``Keira has come through the Cric Hit program and because of her age, it will be easy for her to interact with the girls and relate to them,'' Steve Perry said.

Aimee Harris oversees the Cric Hit program in NSW, which has grown to 35 centres.

The former NSW Breaker will play for the Canberra Meteors when the national women's competition begins next month.

``There's more recognition of women's cricket, which is encouraging girls to take up the sport,'' she said.

Cric Hit costs $45, including a cricket bat and participant's pack.

Details: crichit.com.au or Steve Perry, 0410685938.