Team spirit drives development of female program

The 2024/25 women’s cricket season had a bit of everything.

Century opening wicket partnerships, a string of late season wins; and memorable celebrations on the Ipswich Hornets’ second grade team’s ‘party bus’ were just some of the highlights.

In a brilliant finish to the season, the Hornets second grade team rounded out their campaign with terrific wins over Northern Suburbs, Gold Coast and Sandgate.

The Sandgate victory was particularly impressive, with Sage Martin and Hannah

Freiberg combining for a 148-run opening partnership.

Martin (71) and Freiberg (73) set the tone as Ipswich compiled 6-284 from its 40 overs, before dismantling Sandgate for 63.

Freiberg snared four wickets, while her sister Keely (3/15) and all-rounder Ruby Staunton (2/16) also played their part with the ball.

With a strong focus on the spirit of good friendship, the Hornets thrived under coach Mark Adamski, who brought together a competitive team despite challenges with player numbers at the start of the season.

“Our players continually showed up with a positive attitude despite a few close losses,” Adamski said.

Driving the team spirit were a number of factors, including Keely’s delicious baked goods and the endless fun had on the team bus (supplied by Blue Dogs Sports) after away games.

CI director Brad Freiberg acknowledged all sponsors for their continued support, as well as the coaching group of Adamski, Adrian Ward, Andrew Doyle, Trinty Doyle and Brad Cumming.

“I’d also like thank our main scorers – Shannon Stokes, Andrew Martin, Sarah Bauer and Adam Staunton,” Freiberg said.

“Simon Emmerson (CI General Manager) provided unwavering support to the female program, and for this we are extremely grateful.

“We were also boosted by a number of New Zealand internationals and Tasmanian imports, who contributed greatly to our T20 Max campaign.”

Other personal highlights this year included Sage Martin hitting 102 from 97 balls against Valleys in the Under 16 girls Taverners; and Addyson Ward ‘carrying her bat’ with 42* in a Rebecca McCoombes Cup match again Wynnum.

Hannah Freiberg also finished the season with three consecutive half-centuries to be the team’s leading runs scorer with 491.

Cricket Ipswich will continue to invest in the growth of its female program with the Under 14 Girls Winter Program and Academy trials commencing this month.