New Academy, better SEQ trials, intercity restructure among changes
“United’’ is the buzzword for the latest Cricket Ipswich season with a number of key changes to bolster the regional summer sport.
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“United’’ is the buzzword for the latest Cricket Ipswich season with a number of key changes to bolster the regional summer sport.
Cricket Ipswich president Mike Stoodley outlined four major restructures as a number of teams launch into 2021/22 competitions.
“The development of the junior Academy is a real highlight for us,’’ Stoodley said.
“We’re pretty thrilled with the trial process for SEQ, a true representative process.
“We’re also pretty happy with the growth in junior numbers and the girls growth. It’s looking like this season we’ll be able to have a girls-only competition in either level 0 or level 1.’’
Buoyed by the early one-day competition success of the Ipswich Hornets Queensland Premier Grade men’s team, Stoodley was equally excited about the new format for the Harding/Madsen Shield intercity competition.
Cricket Ipswich Incorporated was officially formed in September 2020 from a merger of the Ipswich Hornets and former Ipswich and West Moreton Cricket Association.
Stoodley remains Cricket Ipswich president for the season ahead, eager to build on what was established through the merger.
Here’s a breakdown of off-season developments and latest results.
Junior Academy: A new initiative is the Crowne Real Estate Junior Development Academy launched in the off-season.
Stoodley said the Academy is being run in conjunction with SEQ cricket, offering representative players additional coaching and training with their peers.
The Academy will run until December focused on skills-based work along with team and game-based training. Respected coach Simon Emmerson will oversee the program.
SEQ trial process/junior growth: Ipswich boys teams in under-12, under-13 and under-14 age groups will be developed under a restructured program with a series of competitive games against Logan and Beaudesert.
Stoodley said junior numbers were looking positive after last season’s Covid challenges.
He was particularly encouraged by a renewed focus in junior girls cricket.
Premier Grade cricket: The top of the table Hornets are preparing for their third match of the latest one-day competition - against Norths at Baxter Oval on Saturday.
The Hornets secured two bonus points in overpowering Sunshine Coast in the Queensland Premier Grade opener after Harry Wood’s 115 set up an imposing 6/305.
Sunshine Coast only made 83 with Bryn Llewellyn (2/5), Rowan Lutter (2/7), Adam Smith (2/14) and Jack Wood (2/32) combining superbly.
The Hornets backed up that superb early effort with another comprehensive win over Toombul at Ken Mackay Oval last weekend.
Set 255 for victory, Wood again led the way with 121 not out, featuring in a 231 run partnership with Hornets newcomer Ryan Hackney (116 not out).
The Hornets finished at 1/256 after Wood earlier snared 3/29, supported by brother Jack (3/46) and quick Sean Lutter (3/54).
The Hornets one-day victories came as new T20 franchise Western Power was unable to make the finals in the inaugural Brisbane Premier League competition.
Stoodley said Ipswich did a terrific job hosting the first three rounds of the BPL competition.
He praised groundsman Craig Jesberg for a fantastic effort preparing the wickets.
The Cricket Ipswich president also appreciated the work done by Ipswich City Council in fertilising the fields and assisting with preparations for the major tournament and new season.
“The fields are the best they’ve ever looked actually,’’ Stoodley said.
As the Hornets men continue their impressive start to the new season, Cricket Ipswich’s top women’s side is in a rebuilding mode.
The appointment of new Darling Downs-based head coach Kent Reimers and return of higher level cousins Ellie and Ruth Johnston provide a powerful backbone of support.
“We’ve got a more inclusive approach to the ladies program this season,’’ Stoodley said.
“The men are helping out a lot more so you’re more of a combined club rather than being a girls club and a men’s club.
“We’ve got a unified club this season.
“It’s just like a breath of fresh air. The girls are really enjoying their training, enjoying their cricket.’’
Lord Taverners: Competition is under way with last season’s grand final-winning Ipswich under-16 team developing a new group of young cricketers.
Head coach Graham Power is back to work with the defending premiers “on looking to the future, building for next season’’.
A Youth Cup competition provides players a valuable introduction to Premier Grade cricket and a stepping stone to dealing with new challenges and opportunities.
Community Senior cricket: The annual Harding/Madsen intercity one-day competition involving seven Ipswich club and six Toowoomba club teams starts on October 9.
In a restructured promotion-relegation format, two divisions will be conducted in a shortened five-week season with two silverware rewards on offer.
The Hornets will field a team in the top division competition for the first time.
The Lenny Martin/Baxter Cups T20 series also started this month running for three weeks leading up the next Bulls Masters tournament.
The Cricket Ipswich two-day first, second and third grade competitions will be staged later in the season with a focus on attracting younger talent.
“More and more older juniors are playing 3rd grade so juniors will finish at 15, and players older than 15 will be playing senior cricket (3rd and 2nd Division),’’ Stoodley said.
“With the large number of juniors involved in school cricket after Christmas, we will have two 3rd division comps, so clubs can adjust to post drop off in numbers due to school cricket.’’
Upcoming carnivals: The Les Kinnane under-13 boys tournament and Melissa Bulow Cup carnival for under-13 girls are planned for January.
Highly regarded Laidley-bred player and clubman Chris Wilson has been appointed vice-president on the Cricket Ipswich committee.
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