Ex-Aussie bowler Ash Noffke hoping to guide son Will to elite cricket career

A rising Sunshine Coast teenage cricket talent is beginning to make a name for himself at a National level as he aims to follow in the footsteps of his father and former Australian fast-bowler, Ash Noffke.

Former Australian cricket player Ash Noffke with his son, Will. Picture: Patrick Woods.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s best young cricket talents is continuing to impress on the national stage as he looks to become the region’s next elite level cricketer and follow in the footsteps of his father.

Will Noffke, 17 and son of former Australian fast bowler Ash, has continued to catch the attention of opposition players, coaches and scouts after an impressive 2023/24 season.

The Unity College student and Caloundra Cricket junior was named captain of the Sunshine Coast Scorchers Lord’s Taverners squad and also earned selection into the Queensland under-17 side alongside Scorchers teammates Zac Robinson and Ben Gordon.

“It was my first year taking on the captaincy role which was a big step up for me but I think it’s improved my game both on and off the field,” Noffke said.

“I think it showed in my statistics as well that I’ve become a better bowler as I really stepped up and put a heavy focus on my cricket.

“The Tav’s season is always good fun and we had a little bit of success before falling short in the semi-finals and then the week away in the Queensland squad was really enjoyable.

“It was a big step up but it was a great group of boys and it was everyone’s first time in that high performance set up so we were all learning together but it was a great experience.”

The keen surfer and former Caloundra Lighthouse rugby union player said he had aims of representing the Scorchers second grade and Queensland under-19s next season.

“I was switched on a little bit more, I put a greater focus on my training and have done some sessions with dad,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Cricket talent Will Noffke. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“It’s a bit annoying sometimes but obviously he’s got a good cricket brain so I try to listen to him as much as I can because I know he’s probably right most of the time.

“My coaches have been great as well and also Andrew Pearce at Scorchers.

“I’m mates with his son, so he’s always been there for me as a mentor, he speaks well, is a good guy and someone good to look up to.”

Ash, who is the current Brisbane Heat WBBL head coach, said he was proud of what Will had achieved.

“I’m dad first, there’s no questioning that but with the training and commitment I let Will drive it all,” Ash said.

“When we do sessions together it needs to be driven by him because it’s his career and if he wants to do well he’ll have to have that internal motivation and drive to compete.

“If I come and watch him play, I try not to give him too much feedback unless he asks but I’m just happy he’s enjoying the game.”

Despite a healthy influx of rising stars over the years, Ash was the region’s last local player to have risen through the Scorchers, Queensland and Australian ranks.

Ashley Noffke of the Bulls during day two of the Pura Cup cricket match played between the Queensland Bulls and the South Australia Redbacks at the Gabba in 2007.

The now 46-year-old began playing cricket for Maroochydore as a junior before rising through the ranks, making his first grade debut and then representing the Scorchers in their inaugural 1995 season.

“I was lucky there had been a few people that had done it before me like Troy Dixon and Jeff Thomas but they had to go to Brisbane and play at a new club and in a new competition,” Noffke said.

“It meant for me as a 17-year-old I could stay on the Coast and try and achieve that which was pretty cool.”

Noffke went on to make his Queensland Bulls debut in 2000 where he went on to play 118 first class matches and three international caps for Australia.

“There’s players that have come through behind and excelled in the pathways of youth cricket, we’re just waiting for that next player to come through the regional and state pathways and then to represent Australia,” he said.

“There’s a lot of talented cricketers here so it would be really cool to see that, I’m really looking forward to the day it happens and of course I’d love it to be Will.

“There’s so many factors and there’s a lot of hard work to come but he’s got a raw base of talent that could take him a long way in the game and I always tell him that the second editions are meant to be bigger and better than the first.”