Erin Burns' story shows why the Sydney Sixers are gunning for their third straight women's Big Bash League title this Saturday against Brisbane.
A proud NSW south coast junior, Burns has followed the path of so many others out of the state's production line.
She debuted in Tasmania's inaugural women's state team in 2010 and began her stint in the WBBL with the Hurricanes before coming home to the Sixers last summer.
"Once I got through the underage program essentially the NSW team was the Australian team," Burns, now aged 30, told AAP.
"I was happy just going to training and doing my best, but going down to Tasmania gave me the chance to play the highest level.
"I wouldn't have got that in NSW."
When the WBBL was introduced four years ago, it split up the talent of a NSW side that has now won 12 of the past 13 women's 50-over domestic titles.
Yet still the T20 franchise title hasn't left the state, with the Thunder winning an all-Sydney final in the first edition and the Sixers claiming the next two with both teams finishing the regular season first and second this summer.
That's helped by the fact that 34 of the 96 local players in the WBBL this season were at some stage involved in the NSW system.
"There's pride in looking at the way NSW-home grown players have gone elsewhere and lifted the standard of Australian cricket," Thunder captain and Cricket NSW director Alex Blackwell said.
"NSW is not just about NSW cricket, it's about producing Australian talent ... That's another measure of success."
Change is quickly coming to the women's game, though, as the professional era takes hold.
The likes of former Australian wicketkeeper and ex-NSW executive Christina Matthews have set up similar pathways at Western Australia, with the state laying claim to some of the best up-and-coming stars along with Victoria.
Increased exposure and participation - combined with more coaching - is also seeing other states rise at junior national carnivals and the Australian team more evenly balanced.
"That cross-pollination of administrators and coaches in different roles in different states is making it more well-rounded," Burns, who still plays for ACT in the 50-over competition, said.
"It's definitely been noticeable that over the last couple of years that all states have improved."
