TALENTED CRICKETERS GET A LEG UP

Twenty-one of the Mackay and Whitsunday region’s most promising junior cricketers spent June taking part in an invitation-only High Performance Academy created to better prepare talented country players for the next step in Queensland cricket.

The academy was established after Mackay Whitsunday Cricket identified shortcomings in Queensland’s junior development pathway for country players. The participants completed a four-week program combining specialist coaching, skill development and high-performance training.

Mackay Whitsunday Cricket Junior Vice President, Ian Faulkner said country cricketers were no longer receiving the opportunities that had once existed through Queensland’s representative system.

“In the past, zone teams like Central Queensland were selected, where players from Mackay, Rockhampton, the Central Highlands and Gladstone travelled to State carnivals to play against the best from Brisbane and other country regions.

“Nowadays, players are not exposed to a similar level of cricket until the Under 15 age group.”

At present, the highest level many local junior cricketers reach before the under-15 age group is representing Mackay Whitsunday at North Queensland carnivals.

“We believe our country kids are never going to reach their full potential unless they are exposed to the best young cricketers from throughout the state at a younger age and adapt their skills to what is required.”

Players earned invitations through their performances representing Mackay Whitsunday at North Queensland carnivals, recommendations from representative coaches and the opportunity to further develop specialist roles, including fast bowlers and spin bowlers.

Another strength of the academy is the experience within its coaching ranks.

“There is a perception that good coaches only live in the big cities. This is far from the truth.

“Our region has Level 3 coaches, the highest attainable coaching accreditation, Level 2 coaches who have made careers with Queensland Cricket, coaches who have played Sheffield Shield cricket for Queensland, second XI cricket for Queensland, first-class cricket overseas, Premier Cricket in Brisbane and high levels of country cricket.

“Most importantly, they have all lived the dream and travelled the junior cricket pathway to higher levels and can pass on that knowledge and life experience to the next generation of cricketers.

“Having coaches with this level of experience is highly important as it shows our younger generation cricketers that their dream of wearing the Baggy Green is still attainable from a country situation.”

The coaches have come together to give back to the game and help ensure the next generation has the same opportunities they enjoyed.

The idea grew from parents and committee members who had experienced the challenges of the representative pathway firsthand and wanted to create better opportunities for young country cricketers.

“The program was orchestrated by a group of dedicated parents and committee members from Mackay Whitsunday and Mackay Cricket, most of whom have had kids travel, or are currently travelling, the junior cricket pathway and could see the glaring gaps in the Queensland Cricket pathway for younger country kids.

“With the levels of coaching we have in the region and the facilities available to us at Harrup Park, the time was right.”

The initiative supports Mackay Whitsunday Cricket’s vision of having “more of tomorrow’s cricket stars, born and raised in the Mackay Whitsunday region than anywhere else in Australia”.

For organisers, one lesson stands above the rest.

“If nothing else, we hope they understand that talent will only get you so far. To be the best, you need to put in the hard work on the training paddock to achieve the goals you set for yourself.”