James hails from down south and developed her cricketing ability at St Hilda’s Collegiate. One of her biggest supporters is her former coach at the school, Neil Rosenberg.
Bella James and former coach, Neil Rosenberg. Image: photosport.co.nz
“I’ve known her for five years. She made our First XI in 2012, and she was the captain for the last two years,” Rosenberg noted.
“She was first talent spotted by former WHITE FERN Emma Campbell when she was at Arrowtown Primary School.”
James has also made 25 appearances for the Otago Sparks, which Rosenberg believes has accelerated her development.
“She’s been in the Otago Sparks team since she was in year 11. She has been nurtured by Suzie (Bates) and Katey (Martin) and I know they’ve had a really big influence on her development.”
“The last year in particular, I have seen some really strong leadership characteristics and they are strongly modelled on Batesy and Katey’s influence on her.”
In more recent times James’ performances have had a boost, especially during the Secondary Girls Finals, where she was the tournament’s top scorer with 191 runs.
“I think in the most recent years it has been about backing herself, and having the confidence to go out and perform. There’s quite a high expectation on someone that’s representing her major association at a national level, and that’s been the last three years for Bella.”
“However, there’s seemed to be an increased level of maturity in her game, an increased belief in her own ability, and it just all came together beautifully at the national tournament.”
Rosenberg believes she is at the same level as several WHITE FERNS that first made a name for themselves at the Secondary Schools Girls Finals.
“I’ve been to the last eight national tournaments, and we’ve seen players such as Francis Mackay, Kate Broadmore, Hannah Rowe, Thamsyn Newton, and Amelia Kerr.”
“I really do see Bella has that same intent, passion and desire to go to the top, and combining with her skillsets she’s got all the credentials to do it.”
Receiving the Secondary Schools Girls trophy on behalf of her St Hilda's Collegiate teammates. Image: photosport.co.nz
Things are also beginning to happen off the field for the talented top-order batsmen, as she became the first female to receive the Otago Cricket Scholarship, which pays all her university fees alongside continuing her development as a cricketer with the Sparks.
“She is the first recipient of Otago Cricket’s scholarship which is a lure to keep talented young players, both boys and girls, close to home in the Dunedin area so they can keep representing Otago.”
Keep an eye out for the name Bella James.
