The powerful right-hander was South Launceston’s inaugural captain in the 2013-14 season and passed the 1000-run mark in just her third season following three tons in 2014-15. 

“It’s a bit of an achievement - you don’t think about those things but it was nice to hear I’ve been able to do that,” Wegman said. 

“Women’s cricket has come so far and all the opposition sides are coming along as well, so I’m sure some of those younger players will get up there pretty quick too.”

The 42-year-old grew up playing backyard cricket with her brothers and soon progressed to vigoro before trying her hand in the TCL, where she was recruited by Knights coach Dean Hawkins to lead South’s first women’s team.

Wegman is now encouraging her side’s top performers in Caitlyn Webster and Meg Radford to refine their skills in Cricket North’s men’s competition. 

“Playing against the boys was pretty beneficial to me, not being intimidated because I’ve got older brothers and a younger brother who played a lot of cricket.

“Coming from a boy’s perspective, you get that flow of bowling and you’ve got to play it better and obviously playing against boys you’ve got to learn to hit it harder ... taking that into the women’s has been really beneficial.”

After finishing runner-up to Riverside in the inaugural Cricket North women’s final, Wegman has led South to the past three titles and last season’s statewide flag.

During that time the Knights enjoyed a league winning streak of all but three years and saw Tasmania and Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Courtney Webb progress through their ranks.  

This season has seen Webster come into her own with 252 runs in eight games, while Radford, Amy Duggan and Alice McLauchlan are all beginning to blossom.

Wegman said teammate Naomie O’Loughlin had been responsible for finding much of the club’s talent.

“There were a couple of learning curves for the first few years, but we’ve got a lot of young girls who are getting to that 17, 18, 19 age who are coming into their own now.

“They’re a good bunch of girls so it’s easier to coach in that environment, and South Launceston are really behind the women’s team.”

Wegman plans to keep playing as long as she can. 

“There’s always young girls coming through we can teach, and they’re getting better each year.

“I’ll keep coaching and helping the girls out which I just love doing - I play cricket because I love playing with the bunch of girls I’ve got.”

Cricket North administrator David Fry said Wegman had made an important contribution to the competition.

“Belinda has been a long time player-coach and mentor for many of the girls in our competition,” Fry said.

“She has achieved much in her involvement with both the TCL and Cricket North and has captained the Cricket North female representative team as well as her all-conquering South Launceston female team for a number of years now.

“She has achieved much as a player and continues to contribute with her mentoring and coaching as well as her on-field exploits.

“I trust that Belinda will continue to be involved with cricket for a very long time as she still has much to offer.”

Cricket North