Heat women strive on and off the field to live their dreams A team of all- rounders
THEY are the teachers, landscapers and cleaners who also hit sixes and bowl bouncers.
The Brisbane Heat’s Women’s Big Bash League squad are more than just cricketers, juggling jobs and blossoming careers away from the cricket pitch.
But they will put down the hedge trimmers and vacuums when they begin their WBBL campaign against Perth in Sydney tomorrow.
Captain Kirby Short, head of the PE department at MacGregor State High School, said jam- packed schedules had made the Heat women mentally tough.
“There is a resilience factor associated with having to juggle both,” she said.
“We play sport because we love it. The extra stuff is nice but the bottom line is we have chosen to pursue that pathway because we really enjoy doing it.
“The bottom line is you have to be organised and prepared for long days. There is no real way around it when you try to fit both into your week.
“You train before and after work then do work after training. It’s a cycle of hard work and slight sleep deprivation.”
Fast bowler Courtney Hill is a PE teacher on the Sunshine Coast, while Holly Ferling is a budding radio journalist.
All- rounder Jemma Barsby, who can bowl with both arms, is a barista with aspirations of owning her own cafe, while Sammy- Jo Johnson ( landscaper) and Delissa Kimmince ( cleaner) work hard all day before heading to training.
The Heat also have a qualified lawyer ( Jess Jonassen) and emergency department nurse ( Laura Harris) in their ranks.
Ferling, studying mass communications at QUT, said playing cricket wasn’t just a job for the women.
“It makes us well rounded people and better cricketers because we come here and want to be here,” she said.
“This isn’t a job. This is what we love to do.
“I did some work experience at 4BC in the newsroom which progressed into a job which is unreal because I’m still studying.
“They have been super flexible which is more than I could have asked for but at the same time I’m getting valuable experience that is going to put me ahead in my professional career.”
The Heat are expected to be WBBL title contenders this summer and Ferling said Short’s leadership would take them a long way.
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall in Kirby’s classroom,” she said. “We imagine her to be someone with a bit of sass who can say a one- liner and shut the class up.
“She is wonderful on the field and she doesn’t give herself enough credit. I have no idea how she manages it.
“We’ve got an awesome batting line- up and we should be front runners. It’s unreal how far this group has come.”
The Heat play their first home match against Perth at Allan Border Field on Friday. THE Magnetic North Steelcats are on the hunt for talented players for their 2018 Queensland State Netball League campaign with trials this weekend.
The Steelcats are coming off a stellar season where they won the QSNL country division and finished just one game shy of a grand final appearance.
Captain Brady Smith and reigning player of the year Jennifer Hamilton will be back on deck while the club is also hoping to recruit new players as they look to go one step further next season.
The Steelcats will hold trials at the Townsville Grammar School North Ward campus tomorrow from 2pm followed by a second trial on Monday from 6.30pm.
Selectors will then announce a squad of 20 players who will train together over the next two months before finalising the 10 players who will represent the Steelcats next season.
The official QSNL season draw will kick off with the Steelcats’ home games weekend in late April.
The club is also planning to host a preseason weekend in March for invitational teams to compete with the aim of bringing more opportunities for fans in North Queensland to watch elite netball.