Hornets Academy drives Cricket Ipswich success

From humble beginnings, the Hornets Winter Academy for aspiring boys and girls is now powering Cricket Ipswich to greater heights.

The roots for the current academy program can be traced back to the hard work and commitment of several volunteers, including Nev Paulsen and Jono Gibbs, who started the winter training squad for 12 year-olds.

This initiative was very successful and provided CI with the foundations to expand and develop an all-inclusive academy program.

The Academy had many initial contributors, but was essentially driven and developed by Hornets youth coaches Joe Plater and Simon Emmerson.

The program expansion was an immediate success on the basis alone that it provided unique development opportunities for as many as 30 players in an age group.

Emmerson said another strength of the program was its ability to connect junior players to the senior Ipswich stars.

“Part of that dream was to have kids playing in the same kits as Harry Wood, fuelling their dreams to become Hornets and then providing opportunities for players to represent the Hornets at every age, from 10-11 year old kids playing Ian Healy Cup through to Lord’s Taverners,” Emmerson said.

After countless hours of volunteering in numerous roles, Emmerson has now commenced work as the CI General Manager.

He’s hit the ground running and will again help oversee the Hornets Winter Academy program and trials commencing on March 14.

Emmerson acknowledged the outstanding input of academy head coach Mitch Thompson, as well as local coaches Paul Newlove, Marcus Hillier and Gibbs, who have all been there at every step.

The academy has also played a key part in the development of other community cricket  mentors, who have benefited from exposure to elite coaches, including Brendan Creevey, Brett Henschell, Peter Cameron, Don Bulow and Paulsen.

Adding further strength and prestige to the academy program over time has been the commitment from a loyal group of sponsors.

Crowne Real Estate, EEA, Binnacle Training and Choices Flooring have all made significant investments into the growth of junior cricket by partnering with the program, along with 360 Builders, Western Power, Monster Hire and Jensen and Sons Electrical.