They say home is where the heart is - and for Georgie Boyce, that adage couldn’t be truer.
The Blaze batter is Notts born and bred. Formative years were spent watching the Outlaws at Trent Bridge (albeit, by her own admission, she spent as much time playing on the concourses as watching the action unfold on the pitch), while she grew up in Hucknall, a short jaunt from West Bridgford.
It was at Hillside Primary that her talent for the game was spotted by PE teacher and Lutterworth cricketer, Sue Day, who cajoled her down to play club cricket.
Boyce went on to play in Nottinghamshire’s county age groups and senior women’s side and, two years ago, became the first female to play in the Notts Premier League, representing Notts and Arnold having risen through the ranks at the Bestwood-based club.
“I'm obviously proud of that,” she reflects of the achievement, “but I wouldn't say I set out to do it.
“The club has always been massively supportive of my cricket and I've not actually needed to knock any barriers down at the club because they've not put any up.”
With Boyce bolstering the middle order in her first season with The Blaze in 2023, it came as no coincidence that the side reached the final of both the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy after a return from Manchester-based Thunder.
In the 20-over competition, she finished as The Blaze’s top run-scorer, while she hit her first List A century against Sunrisers in the same year.
Now, her hunger to be back on the field for a team now exclusively representing her county following the rollout of Project Darwin is insatiable.
“Notts is home for me, and I’ve got special memories at Trent Bridge,” she says, “I went through all the county age groups there, and trained in Woodhead Hall for God knows how many hours during the week.
“In fact, moving to The Blaze became a no-brainer once I knew that’s where we would be based and I could be back home, getting that balance better with cricket and life.
“With us now representing Notts, I do feel like we have more of an identity. The men's team has existed for years and years - as have women’s teams representing Notts at an amateur level - and there is that fan base so it makes sense to tap into that.
“We're fortunate that we got what we wanted in terms of an outcome.”
Unusually, Boyce does not hail from a cricketing background. That is a blessing in her eyes, though, with the distinction between herself as a person and player easier to come by.
That proved particularly important during a tumultuous 2024, during which she was sidelined with multiple injuries.
“My siblings obviously are supportive of me doing well in sport, but don't really know that much about cricket, which is actually quite nice,” she admits.
“I can remember getting a text off my sister once saying well done and I was like, ‘no, we've lost…and we've lost quite badly’. She was like, ‘oh…I'll remember that for next time’ .
“But I think that's actually quite refreshing for me because I'm then just Georgie Boyce at home - not the cricketer.
“Last year was really frustrating for me. I didn't come and watch that many games. It was too difficult and I didn't really enjoy it. I just kept myself away and my family and friends were a big part of that.
“The experience definitely opened my eyes to how difficult rehab can be - you don't quite know how much of a lonely, dark place it is.
“The science and medicine team were great, though. They said I was pretty easy to deal with, which was quite nice to hear at the end…a bit of a silver lining!”
Looking forward, she can now see the prospect of a bright future with The Blaze.
Craig Cumming has recently begun his tenure as Head Coach, while Georgia Elwiss and Amy Jones have been added to the squad, along with overseas players Orla Prendergast and Heather Graham.
And with a so-far injury-free winter under her belt, which has included game-time on Australia’s Gold Coast, Boyce is in a positive frame of mind.
“Obviously we've got a new coach which is pretty exciting for the group; it’s good to welcome him through the door and see what he brings.
“On a personal note, hopefully I can have a good summer, because I've worked so hard to get fit again.
“And still, over the last two years, I still think my game's gone from strength to strength. The backing and the confidence that all the staff have given me has been really refreshing.
“I'm excited to see what I can actually go out and do there and in the competitive environment.”
The next step towards competitive action is The Blaze’s pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi in late March.
The season gets underway in earnest on 23 April at Trent Bridge, as the curtain is raised on the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Naturally, Boyce has designs on being at the sharp end of the tournament personally and as a group - and it’ll be made all the more meaningful representing her home county.
*******
