Award wins a Dolphins tick

THE Gold Coast Dolphins’ two-year stranglehold on Queensland Cricket’s (QC) top individual awards is proof the club’s development pathways are working, according to president Jeff Pfaff.

A year after Dolphins stars Michael Neser and Delissa Kimmince claimed QC’s Ian Healy Trophy and Queensland Fire player of the year prizes respectively, the club was celebrating again last week when all-rounders Neser and Sammy-Jo Johnson took out the 2017-18 gongs.

“I think it’s great for the club, it’s a sign that we’re doing the right things,” Pfaff said.

“What we’re here for is to produce players for the next level but it’s also a good reflection on the players, both Michael Neser and Sammy-Jo Johnson and last year with Delissa Kimmince. It’s really recognition for how well they’re going and their character too.

“Often you get a lot of first class cricketers come back and it’s a bit of a chore coming back to your club but we’re lucky in that all those three players really get involved in the club, support what we’re doing and help the other players in the team. They don’t see it as something they have to do as part of being a professional cricketer, they live the life of the club as well.”

Pfaff said the success of Kimmince and Johnson was indicative of the growth in the club’s women’s program, which this season produced an inaugural all-girls under-13 team.

The club plans to set up an all-girls comp in coming years.