If you ask Catherine Wood what her favourite sport is, she'll tell you she's never had to choose.
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For as long as she can remember the cricket star and netball coach has had a bat and ball in hand in summer and netball bib on in winter- and she wouldn't have it any other way.
After a chance introduction to cricket at the age of 14, Wood has since gone on to play at representative level and is now the Riverina Academy coach.
"My sister Lisa was playing in Balldale and they needed another person," Wood said.
"They convinced me to play so I just thought, why not? And have been playing ever since.
"I had a little while off when I had my two boys (Eric and Albie) but I've basically played every summer.
"You always get that question of which one do you like more? But you don't have to choose with the two, which is good."
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Wood was recently picked in the Bush Breakers side to contend the National Championships to be held in Toowoomba in January.
It will mark her first time lining up in the team after being selected in under age squads for NSW in both under-17's and under-19's.
Wood also recalls one of her major cricket highlights stemming from her junior years when she was presented the opportunity to attend a Combined High School's tour of South Africa in 2003.
With more and more girls opting to take to the cricket field in the region, Wood said it's very pleasing to see.
"I remember when I was younger and it was just my sister and I who were the only girls in the area playing really," Wood said.
"When we went to try out for the Combined High Schools it was so nice just to see that there were other girls and that you weren't strange for playing and loving the game.
"I know there's a lot of girls in the Riverina now who are having the same struggles and I know I can relate to those girls and let them know that it's not just you.
"There are other girls who play and there are other girls who are really good.
"It's a nice opportunity for them to see someone who has gone through it all already and is still playing.
"I think that's probably why I started playing again, I wanted to show the girls that you never have to give up something that you love."
Wood, who has previously played cricket and netball for Corowa, has joined CAW Hume outfit Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock this season where she competes in the open grade against the men.
The mum and personal trainer is also about to embark on her next big challenge as an A-grade Ovens and Murray netball coach with Lavington.
Wood's netball career also started at a young age when she first took to the court in Buraja at age four before moving to Rennie, where she coached the club's B-grade side.
She also achieved the sporting double, playing representative netball for Ulladulla before moving back home to coach CDBHU to their first A-grade premiership since 1993 back in 2016.
While Wood is excited for her new netball coaching role as well as her appointment as Riverina cricket coach for next season, she admits it will be a juggling act alongside work and family commitments.
"I'm definitely looking forward to the coaching role," Wood said.
"The O and M have a bye or split round every five or so weeks and I can combine the cricket with that.
"I'll be very busy, but it's something that I know I can do for now."
I remember when I was younger and it was just my sister and I who were the only girls in the area playing really. When we went to try out for the Combined High Schools it was so nice just to see that there were other girls and that you weren't strange for playing and loving the game.
- Catherine Wood
Wood and her husband Brendon share a love of cricket, with the pair also umpiring local games in their spare time.
The cricket bug has also been passed onto their nine and seven year-old sons.
"We have plenty of cricket stuff to play with in the backyard and the driveway," Wood said.
"There have been some little tussles in the driveway in the last couple of weeks.
"They're very busy with their athletics, they love athletics.
"Trying to squeeze everything in takes a very big calendar."
In what has eventuated as a full circle for Wood, she recently got the chance to relive where it all began when she took to pitch with younger sister of 11 months Lisa (Kuschert), who has also had own cricket success, for the Bullets in December.
The sibling duo teamed up with old friend Alex Blackwell, who recently announced her retirement from Sydney Thunder at the end of the Women's Big Bash league season.
"My sister and I grew up playing with her (Blackwell) in all of the Riverina stuff together," Wood said.
"It was really nice to get back out on the field with her now that's she's retired and get back to where it all started.
"It's super exciting to be reunited."
Blackwell will captain the side, with Wood, Kuschert, Howlong's Ebony Hoskin and Corowa's Gabby Sutcliffe and Rosie Blain also in the line-up.