Brisbane Grammar School senior, Hugh Weibgen on a path to success

How Schoolboy cricket sensation’s journey from homework to change room chats with international cricket stars has given this 17-year-old all-rounder from Brisbane Grammar School a senior year to remember.

Hugh Weibgen (left) in action with the likes of Jack Wildermuth (No. 24) during the T20 Max competition. Photo: Queensland Premier Cricket.

Not too many can boast what 17-year-old cricketer Hugh Weibgen has in his school lunchtime storytelling repertoire.

The Valleys Districts Cricket Club and Brisbane Grammar School all-rounder has gone from maths class to the change rooms with Cameron Boyce, Jack Wildermuth and Usman Khawaja in a 2022 campaign to remember.

Earlier in the year Weibgen became the youngest Valleys player to score a Men’s First Grade century at 17 years and 80 days old.

This just weeks before captaining Brisbane Grammar to the prestigious GPS First XI cricket premiership.

Fast forward to August and the Year 12 has gone from picking his university preferences to playing alongside some of his cricketing role models in the KFC T20 Max competition, a pathway to the Big Bash League for both aspiring and current players.

Hugh Weibgen in shaking hands with Brisbane Heat and Queensland cricketer Sam Heazlett during the T20 Max competition. Photo: Queensland Premier Cricket.

The right arm bat tallied the most runs, 238, for Valleys in that competition, playing all eight games. Most of which, taking place on a school night.

From this experience, Khawaja, Wildermuth and Boyce have been able to share some advice that will stick with the one of Queensland’s finest young cricket prospects.

Weibgen couldn’t describe the feeling of watching Khawaja score some hundreds in his return to Test cricket to then become his teammate.

Another full circle moment for Weibgen came in the form of a signature, having watched Boyce score a half-century for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL a decade ago.

“It’s surreal. When I used to live in Victoria I went to a BBL game and saw Boyce get a 50 in the crowd. I got an autograph. Ten years later I’m playing with him,” Weibgen said.

Hugh Weibgen in the middle with Jack Wildermuth during the T20 Max competition. Photo: Queensland Premier Cricket.

“I’ve learnt from Boyce and the way he goes about it. When you’re bowling, if you get hit for a six, don’t worry about it. Keep tossing it up there. If they keep going, you’re in the game. You’re in for a wicket.”

Bulls captain Khawaja, who has 51 Test matches under his belt and “kids coming up to the boundary asking for signatures while in the field,” also groomed the young cricket prospect.

“I’ve learnt to bat your own way. He’s said a few times just do you. Don’t worry about anything else,” Weibgen said.

“You have to be a bit selfish in cricket sometimes. Focus on your own game, what’s best for the team, but by doing that in your own way. That’s what he kept reiterating — staying calm out there.”

Hugh Weibgen in action during the T20 Max competition. Photo: Queensland Premier Cricket.

Weibgen also had the pleasure of batting with Jack Wildermuth, or “Diesel” as he described with a smirk on his face.

“Once he filled up his parents’ car with diesel, when it wasn’t diesel. Now everyone calls him diesel,” Weibgen said.

So what’s the future look like for a schoolboy lacing up his spikes in the same change room as international sporting icons?

Weibgen’s wish list looks something like wickets and runs in first grade, and the reward will be Maroon or even Yellow kit when the time comes.

Weibgen is currently playing for the Valley First Grade team with their season well and truly underway.