UTS North Sydney Women's Season Preview
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | October 15, 2024
Decked out in a shiny brand-new uniform, Women’s UTS North Sydney Bears kicked off their highly anticipated season last weekend. Our Third grade team came out with a dominant win to start the season in their matchup against Bankstown at O’Neil Park on Saturday afternoon, securing the win by 148 runs. Our Brewers girls went down in a tough loss against Greater Hunter Coast on Sunday morning, going down by 41 runs, followed by an intense win for our Second Grade side in a super over against Greater Hunter Coast on Sunday afternoon!
Round 1 has displayed an extremely strong start for our Women’s program with positives seen in all three grades. We’re excited for what this season has in store, and where they are looking to adapt to changes and improve from last season.
Coming off an extremely strong 2023/2024 season for our Women’s program with all 3 teams finishing in excellent positions in their competitions. Our Third Grade side finished 4th overall unfortunately going down in a tough loss to a premiership winning Manly side in the semi finals. Similarly, our Brewers girls had an excellent season finishing 3rd overall also going down in a gruelling match up against a premiership winning Greater Hunter Coast side. Our Second Grade ladies had a remarkable season as their first season in the 2nd Grade competition, taking home the trophy in the Grand Final matchup against an excellent Gordon side at Chatswood Oval.
2023/2024 Second Grade matchup against Campbelltown
So, off the back of such a successful season for our women’s program new goals and a different drive for success is felt amongst our players. Adapting to shifted team dynamics with fresh coaching staff, a renewed drive to strengthen our game and win matches is being targeted heading into the 2024/2025 season.
Michelle Goszko will return as our Director of Women’s Cricket and Second Grade Coach. Our Brewers side will be led by a returning Rob Aitken alongside newly appointed coach Petar Sredojevic. Kevin Peterson has joined the coaching staff to assist our Third Grade side and has taken on the role with dedication and determination. Our Women’s program has welcomed several new players through the pre-season who have all seamlessly integrated into the squad.
Returning Director of Women’s Cricket Michelle Goszko
Second Grade
With immense talent between some new faces alongside our returning players, the Women’s Second Grade side is looking to make their mark on the competition again this season. Under the new leadership of English international player, Bella Johnson and returned Second Grade player, Ellie James, our reigning premiers are looking to take that winning drive into the 2024/2025 season.
Second Grade Captain Bella Johnson & Vice Captain Ellie James
Last year’s season was a pivotal year for many of our Second Grade players, from bouncing back after the Christmas break and winning 8 games straight to lead us into the Grand Final many of our Second Grade players rose to the occasion multiple times, experiencing new aspects to the game and having to adapt to a specific role in the team, all knowledge that they will take into this season with this new group.
In the bowling ranks, experience will be provided by Emily Aitken, the third overall top wicket taker in the 2023/2024 Second Grade Competition with her off-spin. Bella Johnson will join Aitken in the off-spin bowling attack, complemented by our returning pace bowlers Eva Jenns, Ellie James, Georgia MacDonald, Sam Kuncham and Lavena Rampal alongside our new talent in Emily Horstead.
Amongst the batters, we welcome Maanasa Sri Jaganath into our side, looking forward to seeing her in our top order alongside our new captain and opening bat, Bella Johnson. We also look forward to seeing Emily Horstead, Sam Kuncham and Emily Aitken in the top order this season. Our established Second Grade big hitters Kayla Robson and Adelaide Hicks return this season with an eagerness and confidence with the bat.
All excelling with the bat and gloves we welcome Maanasa Sri Jaganath into our wicketkeeping strength alongside returning premiership keeper Kayla Robson and consistent keeping strength Amy Gibbons, all working cohesively in the pre-season with the shared goal success this season.
Kayla Robson hitting big in a matchup against Sydney Uni
The spirit in the squad is positive and contagious, hopes are high that this season will show a continued drive for success amongst our players as well as a positive integration of our new talent into the side whilst maintaining a high showing on the ladder.
2023/2024 Second Grade side at Birchgrove Oval
Third Grade
Following off the back of a greatly successful season for our Third Grade side, our players are fuelled by the drive to redeem themselves after going down to a tough loss to a strong Manly side in last season’s Semi-Final.
Led by returning Captain Bernie Robson and Vice captained by Hetti Blackburn, our Third Grade side welcomes back many familiar faces this season accompanied by some fresh talent.
Captain Bernie Robson after a magnificent performance with the bat
Last Season was a significant season for our Third Grade side that competed with grit and force, determined to prove to the competition that they were a force not to be reckoned with. We saw many players rise to the occasion in various situations and band together to win games.
Our 2023/2024 Third Grade Squad
Excited to see what this season has in store for returning players Bernie Robson, Kayla Robson, Chloe Blackwell, Anna Peterson, Amy Gibbons, Sarah Gibbons, Violet Crowe, Abi Aitken, Anu Raj and Hetti Blackburn and excited to welcome fresh talent in Alice Hancock and Nechaldeep Dhillon into this strong side.
The undeniable spirit of our Third Grade Squad
The spirit in this Third Grade side is nothing short of positive and contagious as always. With the Ladies always playing with the success of the team as the focal goal, we are excited to see the great success that this team will have this season!
Brewer Shield
Excitement radiates off our 2024/2025 Brewers side this season, with consistent training and drive throughout pre-season, our girls cannot wait to get out onto the pitch and play alongside one another.
2023/2024 Brewer Shield Squad in Celebration
Under the newly appointed leadership of Captain Varada Vinay and vice-captain Sam Williams our young side is in the excellent hands of these two young leaders. Two players who constantly put the team before themselves and play with an undeniable spirit.
Going down in a tough loss in the Semi Finals last season, our Brewer shield side is looking to come back better and stronger this time around, keen to make their mark on the competition early in the season.
Captain Varada Vinay bowling her deadly off spin on a stunning day at Tunks.
With a mix of returning players and fresh talent we are excited to see this squad band together. In the bowling ranks, we see Varada Vinay return with her off spin alongside Eki Kaur Sidhu and Abi Aitken entering the attack. With the pace bowlers Sam Williams, NSW Pathways player, will lead this side with her consistent bowling attack alongside Mikeala Jenkins, Janani Vijaya Raghavan, Madeleine Paynter, Kashish Sharma, Lara Jenns and Prarthana Uppili.
Amongst the batters, we see Cassie Watson and Varada Vinay enter the top order to lead this side with the bat, both working tirelessly on their game over the pre-season. Sam Williams, Prarthana Uppili, Madeleine Paynter, Eki Kaur Sidhu and Elspeth Herbert will all be players to watch with the bat this season, all playing important roles in the order.
The spirit in our Brewer Shield squad is always exciting, working closely alongside the Second Grade side we are keen to see the success this side will bring this season.
- Adelaide Hicks
