This time of year is busy for any teenager in year 12, but things are going to be particularly hectic for Emma Hughes.
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That's because she became a professional cricketer this week after signing a deal with the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming WBBL season.
The leading 18-year-old seamer still has her HSC exams to deal with but she's set to link up with the Sixers before the first two games of the WBBL season.
"The opportunity at the Sixers, to be able to play with the best players and to be coached by Ben Sawyer as the head coach is something I am really excited about," Hughes said.
"Playing in the T20 format and trying to learn from people who have lots of experience, players like Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and Erin Burns is going to be awesome.
"I'm really keen to learn more about which balls to bowl in which situations and about committing in the field. I also want to work hard on my batting because my goal is to become an all-rounder."
Hughes, who became the first female player in more than decade to feature in Dubbo's RSL-Whitney Cup first grade competition last season, has been a regular on the representative circuit for a number of years.
She previously spent time with the Sydney Thunder Academy but caught the eye of Sixers coach Sawyer back in 2015 when she took 6-19, including a hat trick, for ACT/NSW Country in the national under 15 championships.
Sawyer was thrilled to have got the player he wanted onboard for the upcoming season, having seen her commitment in recent years as Hughes and her family have made countless trips from Dubbo to Sydney.
"Emma has certainly shown some ability with the ball and her commitment to travel to improve her cricket is something that indicates she is serious about her career," Sawyer said.
"We understand that she will be focused on her HSC and cricket for the first part of our season but are looking forward to Emma joining the squad full time and getting stuck into training as the season progresses."
Hughes is the fourth teenager to have signed a deal with the Sixers ahead of the new season.
Hughes will join the Sixers on October 7 before returning to Dubbo for exams following the Sixers' opening two games of the season on October 18 and 19.
She will then return to Sydney on November 5 for the rest of the year.
