Jason Wells excited about taking on Rockhampton Cricket’s top job

Jason Wells has been involved with the game, ‘one way or another’, since he started playing at age six. He talks about what inspired him to take on Rocky cricket’s top job and why the game means so much to him.

Jason Wells is the new president of Rockhampton Cricket.

Rockhampton Cricket has ushered in a new president and with him, plans for an exciting new competition.

After a lifelong love affair with the game, Jason Wells has taken on the top job.

“I’ve always been heavily involved in cricket, one way or another,” he said.

“It’s something about being a Wells – it comes with the territory.

“We’re a big family of cricketers.

“I had not planned on doing this but a few months ago I found some real energy for it and the opportunity to implement some of the great ideas that we’d been working on behind the scenes.”

Among them is the introduction of the Frenchville Sports Club CQ Premier League.

The T20 competition will be played in December and January, with the final held during the annual Country Week Carnival.

Jason Wells played 20 consecutive years of A-grade cricket with the Frenchville Falcons.

Wells said it was designed to generate more interest in cricket and broaden the game’s supporter base.

“It’s a brand new concept for us,” he said.

“Other zones in the country regions have been doing it for a year or two and we’re coming on board with it now.”

Wells said there would be four franchises.

Players nominate and each franchise owner, team captain and manager would select a squad of 15 from the draft to be held on November 11.

Current and former players from any centre were welcome to nominate.

Wells said the competition was an exciting addition to the regional cricket scene.

“Number-wise, for each club and each grade of competition, things are looking really healthy,” he said.

“There’s a lot of potential this season for getting the community more involved.”

Wells said the junior competition was thriving, and things were also strong on the senior front, with five teams in A-grade men and eight teams in the women’s competition.

He could not be happier about now being at the helm of the game that has been such a big part of his life.

Coach Jason Wells (back row, far right) with the CQ Seamers team after they booked their grand final berth in the Bulls Masters Country Challenge.

He continues to foster emerging cricket talent at the Rockhampton Grammar School, and is again coaching the CQ Seamers who earlier this month made the grand final of the Bulls Masters Country Challenge to be played at the Gabba in December.

Wells started playing at age six before making his senior debut at 15, going on to play 20 seasons with Frenchville.

He had a successful career and bowed out on the perfect note, claiming his 10th premiership in his final game in June 2020.

Wells said he had no grand playing ambitions, and his highest rep honour was the North Queensland under-19 team.

“I wasn’t someone who was interested in having a crack down south; I really enjoyed the country style of cricket and I loved this area,” he said.

“I’m very passionate about cricket and just enjoyed playing and coaching.

“It was the friendships made and the challenging aspects of the sport that I found really addictive.

“That’s where I want to put back, making sure there is cricket for people to play and enjoy and for them to experience some of the highlights that I have throughout my time.”

Originally published as Jason Wells excited about taking on Rockhampton Cricket’s top job