Brisbane Premier League highly anticipated junior and female competitions commence
Fresh off the successful conclusion of the COVID-19 delayed Brisbane Premier League (BPL) senior and U/19 male competitions yesterday which saw the Gold Coast Waveriders take out both age groups, the inaugural junior and female competition kicks off today across a number of locations throughout Queensland.
The round robin competition will take place from 20 – 22 September for all age groups – U/12, U/13, U/15, U/17 male and U/19 female – with the finals to take place on Thursday 23 September.
“I’m absolutely pumped for the junior tournaments kicking off this week. The build-up and excitement around the juniors has been amazing and this is what it’s all about; 560 players running around in coloured kit playing an exciting brand of cricket for four days,” says BPL co-founder Nick Fitzpatrick.
Despite the pandemic, the team behind the BPL is delighted they have been able to deliver a first class amateur tournament, and that things settled to enable the largest component of the BPL program to be played as originally envisaged.
“The feedback coming out of the Seniors and U/19 competition has been great. The cricket on display over the past three weeks has been excellent; these amateur cricketers have certainly showcased their talent to the world,” says Fitzpatrick.
With Australia’s national women’s cricket team currently leading the world in all rankings across the women’s game, the focus and attention on women in cricket has never been higher.
“We can’t wait to see the girls take the stage in the first ever female BPL competition. It’s incredible to think that the story of the next national female superstar could begin here in Brisbane this week! Would it be selfish of me to say that I hope she might be wearing Rockets colours?” says co-owner of the Southern Rockets and significant investor to the BPL Cathie Reid AM.
Games will take place across 45 ovals and commence at 8am, 11am and 2pm at Marchant Park, Seventh Brigade Park Cricket Fields, Maroochydore Cricket Club, Redlands Tigers Cricket Club, Central Districts Cricket Club, Ipswich Grammar School, Captain Cook Park and Highfields & Districts Cricket Club.
“I’m looking forward to making new friends with new teammates and I hope to perform well for my franchise. It’s really exciting for my cricket to be part of this inaugural tournament,” says U/15 Western Power player Harley Malpass.
All those who attend to support the young players will find themselves experiencing a day at the cricket that looks very different to club games. Over the first two days at Marchant Park, there will be a kids zone with a face painter, balloon artist, stilt walkers, bubble girls and a magician to keep everyone entertained.
To keep up to date with all games, live scores, live streams, match and player statistics head to the BPL Match Centre.
