Jess Jonassen pushing for regional growth of women’s cricket ahead of Brisbane Heat’s WBBL trip to Mackay

Mackay has been richly rewarded with elite-level sport in 2021, and Brisbane Heat’s captain thinks the region deserves more than sporadic games in the future.

The junior sporting stars of Mackay have enjoyed unprecedented access to elite competition, and Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen thinks it is only the beginning.

The region has welcomed five NRL and two international cricket games, and will host nine women’s Big Bash matches in November, after leagues moved fixtures away from locked-down cities.

Jonassen said regional communities like Mackay needed to take advantage of the chances given to the area.

“It’s nice that some of these elite sport competitions are bringing consistent games to these areas because they deserve it,” she said.

“There is a lot of talent up here that gets untapped so to be able to have these kids get the exposure of elite sport is vital.”

The WBBL’s trip north follows the international series between Australia and India at Great Barrier Reef Arena in September.

Jonassen said it was important to reward the region for its development and promotion of women’s cricket.

“It’s really nice to see Mackay being rewarded for their development of the women’s game,” she said.

Georgia Wareham from the Renegades, Ellyse Perry of the Sydney Sixers, Issy Wong of the Sydney Thunder, Tayla Vlaeminck of Hobart Hurricanes, Amanda-Jade Wellington of the Adelaide Strikers, Jess Jonassen of Brisbane heat with Meg Lanning of the Melbourne Stars and Beth Mooney of the Perth Scorchers ahead of the 2021 WBBL season at Blundstone Arena on October 13, 2021 in Hobart, Australia. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Harrup Park is looking in absolute elite conditions so I know there’s going to be some really good exposure for the game.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, when I was growing up there were so few girls playing cricket, I never knew there was an Australian women’s team until I was well into my playing days.

“Now you have girls as young as six or seven who aspire to be a part of that side, so being able to have the exposure of these events is incredible.”

Jonassen has battled with injury during the Australian winter, with shin splints ruling her out of the Australia v India series.

She said she was excited for Mackay to get access to elite sport, but was disappointed she was not able to play herself.

“I would’ve loved nothing more than to be a part of history with international sport being played in Mackay,” Jonassen said.

“Hopefully in the future more games can be brought up here.”