The Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Cricket Club has spent the off-season organising, electing a new committee, preparing the two turf wickets, putting in new drainage on Read Park, and quite a few weeks of training leading up to the first ball being bowled in the 2023-24 season.
The season will open on Saturday 16 September for the first grade team in two T20 matches at Read Park. The first match, commencing at 1pm will be against the Coolum Sharks team and then the game under lights will commence at 6pm against the Glasshouse Mountains Rangers. Both these teams will be very competitive and with the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Team fielding quite a few new players the outcomes and scores will be a fair indication of how the club’s season will pan out.
It is hoped that many of the other grade players and club supporters will turn up to these games and set the scene for what should be a great season. The canteen and bar will be open for both matches.
The first graders will have a new captain this season, Michael Eckard who played a few games with the club last season. Michael played most of his cricket in South Africa and Victoria and is a handy top order batsman and a medium pace bowler. He will bring enthusiasm and experience to the team with a few younger players joining the ranks.
All the other senior grades and Juniors (Under 11 to Under 17s) will play their first matches on 7 October.
Training: Organised training sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons – Juniors- 4pm to 5.30pm and seniors from 5.30pm.
Guns and Hoses match
Prior to the start of the season proper the club hosted the annual “Guns and Hoses” charity match between the police and fire service teams at Read Park. It turned out to be a great night. Lots of generous fans donated to the respective police and fire legacy charities while watching an entertaining game of T20 cricket under lights.
The club was honoured to host the event and thanks to all the volunteer crew who prepared the field, manned the bar and helped make the event a success.
PS. QPS won… but who’s counting?!
Player’s Numbers
This season all the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder Club’s senior players will be wearing numbers on the back of their shirts in line with International and State Cricket teams.
Ben Laughlin, one of the club’s most experienced players is currently in the USA playing in the US Masters T10 Championship. He is part of a team that boasts ex-international players- Jacques Kallis, Aaron Finch and Suresh Raina. He will be returning soon to Australia to join his local clubmates in the season’s matches.
