Life Members Welcomed

As the organisation approaches the 150th anniversary of Queensland Cricket in 2026, the AGM welcomed the conferral of Life Membership upon two dedicated servants of the game in Greg Michel and John Pearce.

The last time Queensland Cricket announced more than one Life Member in one year was in 1926. 

Greg Michel has been involved at the grassroots of cricket in Central Queensland since his days as a young cricketer

Coming to prominence with The Glen Cricket club in Gladstone, he represented Queensland Country cricket for the first time in 1978, playing against Northern NSW. In that same year, he represented North Queensland against South Queensland, the first of many appearances for both NQ and QCC.

Highlights of his playing days included representing Queensland Country against the touring New Zealand team at Bundaberg and the West Indies in Caloundra in 1981.

His career also saw him play for Queensland in the inaugural Australian Country Cricket Championships at Beenleigh in 1985.
 
Around the same time, he was elected to represent his club at the local association and from there progressed to Central Zone administration, to North Queensland and finally Queensland Country.
 
His appointment to the Executive Committee of the Queensland Country Cricket Association Inc was made at the Annual General Meeting of 1998.   

His service to the game of cricket at all levels from club through to Country Association was recognized at the Annual General Meeting of 29 July 2006 when he was granted Life Membership of the Queensland Country Cricket Association.
 
Greg has been Secretary of Central Queensland Cricket Inc for over 10 years, Treasurer of the North Queensland Alliance, Delegate to Queensland Cricket Association and Delegate to Queensland Country Cricket Association.

Greg was also a significant contributor and member of the QCA Constitution Review Working Group from 2021 to 2022.

John Pearce OAM has been a successful figure in Australian business for decades. 

In the process of building the leading financial business, Collection House, he formed a life-long friendship with the late Peter Burge, a renowned contributor to cricket as a player, match referee, administrator and QC Director.

To commemorate Peter’s memory following his passing in 2001, he and like-minded friends from sporting and business circles formed the Peter Burge XI.

Through the framework of the Australian Sports Foundation, it initially provided an annual donation from its members, to contribute to the development of Allan Border Field and its precinct. 

More than $1.5 million dollars has been donated through the generosity of the Burge XI over the past two decades.

While their philanthropic endeavour continues to this day, the generosity of John and his fellow Burge XI members has evolved into a much wider contribution to the overall health and strength of Queensland Cricket.

Queensland Cricket Chair Kirsten Pike noted in her speech tonight that a generation of players have benefitted from the wisdom and insights of John and the Burge XI.

“Their willingness to offer mentoring, guidance, advice, networking and support has been done largely without fanfare (at John and the Burge XI’s insistence), but tonight’s meeting is an appropriate forum to put the spotlight on the selfless guidance they have provided which has made an indelible difference to the careers and lives of many Queensland players,’’ she said.

“John has also been an invaluable sounding board for the senior management and Board of Queensland Cricket, providing astute guidance and backing.

“The contributions of Greg Michel and John Pearce have made a real difference as we realise our purpose to promote and grow cricket, ensuring all Queenslanders can play, participate and enjoy the game,’’ Pike said.
 
Tonight’s AGM heard that Queensland Cricket was again able to achieve a modest financial surplus for the year.

The surplus for the year amounted to $664,112, which incorporates an amount of $517,733 representing gains from the QC Future Fund. 

Excluding this amount, which is not available for general use, the net operating surplus for the year was $146,379 available to reinvest in the game. 

Members were provided with a comprehensive update from CEO Terry Svenson on QC’s progress over the past year against its strategic plan including the focus on growing participation and its investment into infrastructure to support clubs and associations throughout Queensland.

A Special Resolution to admit the three Brisbane Metro Junior Associations - Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association (BNJCA), Metropolitan South-West Junior Cricket Inc (MSW) and Bayside East and Redlands Junior Cricket Association (BEARS) – as voting affiliates was passed by the members.

The AGM heard that participation rose in 2024-25 in Queensland. 

The national cricket census for 2024-25 saw Queensland record an 11% statewide year-on-year growth in unique ID participation among 5-12-year-olds, reflecting strong participation at the grassroots level. 

Queensland also experienced 12% growth YOY in Junior Cricket overall. Women and girls’ participation continues to flourish, with 20% of our 5-12-year-old participants being girls, representing an 8% growth on the previous year.

The Brisbane Heat grew its attendance at its KFC BBL games and delivered a record membership of 17,960 in 2024-25.

A total of 132,905 fans came through the gates at the Gabba across five BBL games at an average attendance of 26,581 per match, up from 24,353 in BBL|14.

A total of 141,458 fans attended BBL and WBBL games this summer, a 7% increase from 2023-24. 

This included two BBL sell outs, the first time the feat has been achieved in six seasons, plus a sold out WBBL semi-final at Allan Border Field.  

Elected Directors Kirsten Pike and Darren Frakes were returned unopposed for a further three-year term, with Pike to continue as Chair.