It is with great sadness that I advise the North Metro Cricket Association have learned of the passing of Lorraine Ireland.

Lorraine’s was a pioneer in a sport that had hard traditions of being male dominated. She broke down barriers and pushed for more women to take up the mantle of being involved with the great sport of cricket.

To this end the North Metro Cricket Association bestowed the honour of naming the Women’s Competition first division, the Lorraine Ireland Shield.

There was another sporting passion that took up a lot of Lorraine’s time and that was her lifelong involvement with softball.

How she managed to squeeze in her two sporting loves and fulltime work and family life just showed the resilience of this remarkable woman.

Lorraine’s involvement with the NMCA started at her beloved Preston YCW District Cricket Club and even further back to Regent District Cricket Club.

She spent many years at the Preston YCW District club tirelessly working hard to make her Club successful.

Then she moved into Junior development and became a member of the NMCA Junior Committee. That then led to a long stint on the NMCA Board.

In 2009 Lorraine was bestowed with Life Membership of the North Metro Cricket Association in recognition of her outstanding work for everyone that played, umpired or supported cricket in our northern zone.

To Robert and Trish and the extended family, I, on behalf of the Board of Management, Clubs, players and especially the juniors pass on our heartfelt condolences.