Sara Hungerford will line up for the Meteors this weekend. Photo: Jeffrey Chan <\/p>\n
ACT Meteors coach Andrew Dawson hopes the introduction of WNCL and Twenty20 match payments helps his squad rise to a new level this season as it targets a home grand final berth. <\/p>\n
The Meteors will start their pre-season campaign when they play the NSW Breakers, South Australia Scorpions and Tasmania Roar at Blacktown this weekend. <\/p>\n
Meteors players will earn match payments for the first time this season, boosting their earning potential and raising the standard within the squad. <\/p>\n
Cricket Australia introduced a pay structure with the country's top athletes capable of earning up to $80,000 per season. <\/p>\n
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The Meteors payments will be far less about $200 per 50 over match, $150 for a Twenty20 and $75 for each night away from home but Dawson said the team's training program has already stepped up in intensity. <\/p>\n
\"Everyone is going harder. There are overseas players coming in as well, so everyone is trying to ramp it up,\" Dawson said. <\/p>\n
\"There's definitely accountability. The girls put in so much time and effort and they've done it without getting paid. The money they receive now covers expenses, but it is a nice top-up. It's a starting point.\" <\/p>\n
The ACT Comets will also play their first pre-season matches as they attempt to win selection for World Cup trial matches against Afghanistan and Ireland later this month. <\/p>\n
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The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Comets, Meteors payments will help send teams into orbit<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sara Hungerford will line up for the Meteors this weekend. Photo: Jeffrey Chan ACT Meteors coach Andrew Dawson hopes the introduction of WNCL and Twenty20 match payments helps his squad rise to a new level this season as it targets a home grand final berth. The Meteors will start their pre-season campaign when they play the NSW Breakers, South Australia Scorpions and Tasmania Roar at Blacktown this weekend. Continue reading