Erin Osborne says it's time to give back.
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That's why she has opted against an ACT Meteors playing contract for their 2021-22 WNCL campaign - because her avenue to give back is through coaching.
Osborne was walking a lap of Phillip Oval alongside Cricket ACT chief executive Olivia Thornton when the conversation turned to her future and what she wanted to do after playing.
Before long the former Meteors captain decided the future is now. She will still train with the team and can be called upon to play, but Osborne's main focus is now on coaching within the ACT pathways.
"I wanted to give back to cricket and felt like that was how I could give back," Osborne said.
"Luckily Cricket ACT and Cricket Australia ran a pilot program transitioning players into coaching and I've been very fortunate to work in our pathways programs and absolutely loved it.
"I have been very fortunate to work amongst some great coaches in Canberra but also the pathways programs have been really exciting."
Australian hopeful Maitlan Brown is the other big name missing from the ACT's squad, having signed a contract with the NSW Breakers.
Chloe Rafferty and Gabrielle Sutcliffe have been awarded full contracts having featured last season, while 19-year-old batter Kayla Burton joins the Meteors ranks for the first time.
"She is a good young talent and athlete. She deserves an opportunity; we are looking to develop a young batter and she fits that bill," Meteors coach Jono Dean said.
"They come back in around three weeks which is exciting and then we will start to prepare for our season to come."
ACT METEORS SQUAD 2021-22: Angela Reakes, Katie Mack, Madeline Penna, Kayla Burton, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Chloe Rafferty, Carly Leeson, Matilda Lugg, Olivia Porter, Rebecca Carter, Erica Kershaw, Amy Yates, Nicola Hancock, Zoe Cooke.
