Sunshine Coast senior women’s cricket season preview 2023/24

Sunshine Coast senior women’s cricket captains have shined a light on their 2023/24 squads while breaking down their season aims, key performers and young talents to keep an eye on.

Sunshine Coast’s women’s cricket season preview.

The women’s Sunshine Coast cricket season has started with a bang with a number of standout performances in the opening two rounds.

The Tier 1 competition will feature six teams in action from October 8 to February 25.

Coolum were able to secure the 2022/23 premiership with a number of female stars taking their game to the next level.

Glasshouse’s Kim Howden topped the run scorers rankings last season followed by Linda Callender (Palmwoods) and Brianna Coffin (Caboolture).

With the ball it was Ricki Irwin from Caloundra while Samantha Franks (Coolum), Sharon Guest (Palmwoods) and Maleesa Dukes (Caloundra) ranked inside the top three.

Read the full senior men’s 2023/24 season breakdown here.

We caught up with each senior women’s captain to find out their aims for the new season as well as which players were the ones to keep an eye on.

Women’s Tier 1

Caboolture

Captain: Amy Baker

Season aim: “Both teams are just working together, obviously to give our younger players the right stepping stones to make it to the tier one level but also to get the most out of our other squad members. I’d say there’s about eight new faces to the club this season with a few fresh players and a few that have played indoor cricket before. It’s exciting and the rise of women’s cricket is looking promising.”

Caboolture women's cricket team. Picture: Facebook.

Squad breakdown: “I’d say it’s fairly mixed, we’ve got three under 15s and a few other teenage players and then some mature players as well.”

Key players and rising stars: “Across the two teams we’ve got Brianna Coffin, Tayla Buckley, Ebony Runge and Angela Thomas who have all drawn some good attention and should impress this year.

Biggest competition threat: “Definitely Caloundra. They’re a formidable side and they proved that last season. They just always seem to be on their game every time we play them.”

Caloundra

Captain: Meleesa Dukes

Season aim: “I think this year as a team we’ve got some big goals. The main one would be to try and get more and more women involved in cricket on the Sunshine Coast. We’ve recruited a few more ladies and teenage girls this season that probably wouldn’t normally consider playing which has been great.”

Caloundra women's cricket team.

Squad breakdown: “Our youngest player would be 16 or 17 through to some mums and other mature aged ladies.”

Key players and rising stars: “Isabella Morris is a good young player who began playing during school and is now transitioning to that next phase of cricket. There‘s some other ladies who have really improved in pre-season and will be exciting to follow as the season goes on.“

Biggest competition threat: “I think it’s interesting because there’s been a lot of player movement in the off season. I’m excited to come up against each side in our opening rounds to see which new faces are in what uniform or which new players have come on board. I can’t really say for sure who will be the standout side this year but I think it will be quite a competitive season.”

Coolum

Captain: Samantha Franks

Season aim: “We’ve lost a few players due to retirement and others moving away so at the moment we’re trying to rebuild a bit while also following on from our success last season. Our main goal would be to defend our premiership and contest for the title once again. Stefan Hook is coaching us again this season, he obviously plays for our men’s team and is a very experienced cricketer so he’s really committed again this year which will be great.”

Coolum Women's cricket team celebrate winning the 2022/23 Division 1 grand final.

Squad breakdown: “We’ve got a few newbies and our squad would vary in ages from mid twenties to 40s and 50s I’d say. Two of our players are a mum and daughter combo in the Bowyer‘s which is very cool I think.”

Key players and rising stars: “Definitely Kara Peterson, she‘s an all round star who’s been appointed vice-captain this season. She opens the batting, is our wicketkeeper, can also bowl and is electric in the field. Ruby Bowyer and Adrienne Wilkins will also be solid with the bat I think.”

Biggest competition threat: “Honestly I think this year we’re going to have a number of competitive teams. I think we’ll have to watch Yandina because Joytii Besford is back playing for them and then Caloundra and definitely Glasshouse will be strong as well.”

Glasshouse

Captain: Melinda Shelley

Season aim: “I’m originally from Palmwoods but our ladies have merged with Glasshouse this season as we didn’t have enough numbers for a team. We’re combining together so that everyone has an opportunity to continue to play some cricket which is great. I think for this season, we’ve been able to field three teams across the two divisions which is great, but with all of the new faces and a few new players to cricket we’re just trying to gel as best we can. Ultimately once we grow together we hope to give ourselves a good opportunity to get that experience that we’re all looking for in women’s cricket.”

Glasshouse women's cricket players. Pictures: Facebook

Squad breakdown: “Our youngest players would be 13 or 14, so players that are just starting their cricket journey at that end of the scale and then there’s some ladies in their 30s and 40s and 50s as well.”

Key players and rising stars: “We’re all still getting to know each other and have only had a few rounds so far but Payton Meredith was a star in round one, scoring 50 with the bat. She’s a good young cricketer that’s starting to develop and will be one to watch. There’s a few more players that are coming through the ranks too so I think everyone will come together quite well and have a range of opportunities.”

Biggest competition threat: “Yandina have obviously regrouped this season with their old squad who were premiers for a few consecutive seasons. They’ll no doubt be strong contenders but I think across the board it’s a fairly level playing field. Every team has their strengths and we should see them shine through after the opening rounds.”

Yandina

Captain: Kylie Taylor

Season aim: “Being back under the Yandina Cricket Club banner after a year off it would be nice to see us reach the finals.”

Yandina women's cricket team. Picture: Facebook.

Squad breakdown: “We range in age from 18 to players in their early 50s and most of us have played every season so far but we have a couple of players returning after time off due to varied reasons. We’ve managed to bring one player out of retirement, Susy King is a new player and we’re very happy to have Leanne Sippel join our squad with the playing experience she brings. Three of our players, Kerrie Holstein, Tanya Hoyle and Kellie Scott, show extra commitment to us by travelling up to two hours each week to play for us. Katrina Coleman manages us which is a challenge with the coaching support from Shaun Nichol who has been our constant every year despite the stress we cause him.”

Key players and rising stars: “This year we have a very solid bowling line up and our batters are well established with some looking to improve in the batting area. Grace Kavanagh, our youngest member, is back after a forced break with injury and is an impressive bowler and eager wicket keeper. She came to us when she was 15 so it’s been awesome to watch her improve. Joytti Besford is a powerhouse all rounder. She never disappoints, definitely a challenge for the batters in the comp. It’s really good this season to have a good selection of bowlers to choose from and some really solid hitters to back us up. Linda Callendar took out the highest run scorer last season, so we’re looking forward to her improving on that this season.”

Biggest competition threat: “I think Coolum, last year‘s premiers, have the line up to take themselves through again this year. But Glasshouse will also be a tough challenge and Caloundra have always been consistent. As for benchmarks YCC ladies have the Premiership hat trick to defend prior to our year with Hinterland, so for us, the benchmark would be upholding that standard. But with the improving strength in the ladies teams it will be a bigger challenge this season, which we look forward to.”

Cooroy-Eumundi

Captain: Amanda Tie

Season aim: “Last year was a truly developmental year for our women’s team with about 70% of the team new to cricket. This year we hope to consolidate the learnings and significant skill development from last year to produce some positive results on the scoreboard with a very competitive team this year. We’ve been strong in the field, but now have some batting and bowling depth. We hope to build the confidence and skills of our players in a really supportive environment, and have some fun!”

Cooroy Eumundi women's cricket team. Picture: Facebook.

Squad breakdown: “We again have a wide spread of ages with our youngest player being 13 and our oldest being in their 50s.”

Key players and rising stars: “While each player brings her own strengths to the team, we have 13-year-old Raya joining the team from Gympie juniors, who has some great skills with both bat and ball. Kaylah Naylor is in her second season of competitive cricket and she’s a former backyard warrior turned into a powerhouse of strength, pace bowling and big shots with the bat. Megan Bambling’s putting on the keepers gloves for the first time and moving with great agility behind the wickets. Tina Hetherington and Katrina McKenzie, formerly mums of juniors and wives of members of the men’s team, are coming off the sidelines, putting on the whites and giving it a go this season.”

Biggest competition threat: “The Tier 1 women’s comp has gone from strength to strength each year and the level of competition and skill has definitely improved across the board. This will be an interesting season as all clubs look to have strong teams. With Palmwoods not fielding a team this season, many of their players have joined Glasshouse, so they will have a great number of players to select a very competitive team. As last year‘s premiers, Coolum will be a force, but it’s a sport where a quick wicket or a couple of good shots makes all the difference. It’s hard to pick a dominant team, I think it’s anyone’s season.”

All captains agreed that if any female players were interested in getting involved, to reach out to their local club’s or visit the Sunshine Coast Cricket website.