Qld’s future cricketers put through paces

CRICKET: Some of southeast Queensland’s most promising young cricketers descended on Toowoomba Grammar School for the latest instalment of the U15s Queensland Cricket Pathways Program.

More than 100 boys and girls from Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Wide Bay and the Darling Downs came together for the three-day camp.

“We have 108 players go through a nine-month pathway program from July through to March,” Queensland Cricket coach, development and pathways manager Jeff Thomas said.

“A big skills component is from July to October leading into the season, and we finish off the first part of the program with this camp.

“Over three days they play a lot of games, some skill work and holistic development.”

With players involved in representative teams, Thomas said a large part of the camp is preparing them for the rigours of the next level, as well as fostering relationships with fellow players.

That comes in the form of preaching the importance of things such as nutrition.

“We hope they take some discipline out of the camp,” he said.

“We do push that you need to be disciplined to become good at anything in life.

“Health and nutrition is so big now. There’s a lot more data on how much they travel during a game, so they understand how fit you need to be if you want to make it.”

Thomas said that he expects the talented group to take plenty from the camp, as they continue their cricketing journey.

“Hopefully they take plenty of education, both on and off the field, and even some good friendships.

“They generally will play with and against each other over the next three or four years before they get to senior cricket, so even some relationship building would be great.

“If they’re in a state team together, they know each other and they gel quicker, which is great.

“That goes for the boys and girls. Now that we have a pretty similar number of girls involved in the programs, they’re really starting to develop their skills and getting the same access to coaching.”

WE HOPE THEY TAKE SOME DISCIPLINE OUT OF THE CAMP. WE DO PUSH THAT YOU NEED TO BE DISCIPLINED...

JEFF THOMAS