QC Celebrates 150 Years

The first meeting to form the Queensland Cricket Association took place in Brisbane in March 1876, with the first delegates meeting the following month.

Tonight’s meeting heard that the special anniversary would be celebrated in various ways across the coming season.

All State player uniforms, starting with the Queensland Bulls opening domestic one day match on Saturday at Allan Border Field, would carry a special 150 brandmark this season.

A hardcover, coffee table book on the game’s history in Queensland will be sold during the season, with a range of badges, key rings and replica player shirts available. 

The annual Summer of Cricket luncheon on 13 November will celebrate the anniversary, as will the QC Awards Gala at the end of the season.

As Mackay reflects on its recent status as Australia’s latest Test cricket venue, one of the architects of Great Barrier Reef Arena’s ascendency has been formally recognised.

Mackay Cricket identity Barry Jansen OAM was tonight awarded Life Membership of Queensland Cricket, in part for his role in the Harrup Park development that brought international and top-level to the region.

Jansen was a Queensland Cricket Director between 2011 and 2023.

He played a major role in the growth of the Harrup Park complex as president of Mackay Cricket Association between 1986 and 2021.

Great Barrier Reef Arena, as it is now known, successfully hosted the Second Test against Bangladesh in August, becoming the 12th venue in Australia to host Test matches and the fourth Queensland venue.

Mackay has successfully hosted men’s and women’s international matches over the past three years, as well as four-day Australia A matches against New Zealand and India in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

It has also successfully staged Weber Women’s Big Bash League matches, Sheffield Shield and Domestic One Day games and the National Indigenous Cricket championships.

Jansen, a Life Member of Norths Cricket in Mackay and the Mackay Cricket Association, also served as vice-president of Queensland Country Cricket between 2005 and 2011.

He was awarded his Life Membership by Chair Kirsten Pike.

Jansen reflected fondly on his 48 years of involvement in cricket.

“To look at how far we have come at Queensland Cricket is remarkable,’’ he said.

“I am very grateful to my family, especially my wife Janet, for their support. I love the game and everything it has done for me. I am a proud Queenslander and this means a lot.”

Tonight’s AGM heard that Queensland Cricket was able to achieve a financial surplus for the year.

The surplus for the year amounted to $1,101,127 (2025: $664,112), which included $410,714 representing gains from the Queensland Cricket Association Future Fund. 

Excluding this amount, the net operating surplus for the year was $690,412 available to reinvest in the game.

The QC Future Fund balance rose to $6.9 million in the year completed.

Members were provided with a comprehensive update from Chair Kirsten Pike and CEO Terry Svenson regarding the recent discussion around privatisation of the Big Bash, as well as QC’s progress over the past year against its strategic plan.

The meeting was informed that Queensland Cricket had not formally agreed to the Big Bash ‘self-determination’ model provided to States by Cricket Australia last week.

Delegates were told that Queensland Cricket was seeking further detail and clarity around the proposal and looked forward to further constructive discussions soon.

Other highlights included the focus on growing participation and its investment into infrastructure to support clubs and associations throughout Queensland.

The 2025-26 season was a largely positive one for participation. 

The Cricket Census for 2025-26 recorded an 8% statewide, year-on-year growth in unique participation among 5-12-year-olds, reflecting consistent participation growth at the grassroots level. 

This progress highlights the success of both targeted efforts at attracting new participants to the game, as well as implementing strategies to retain those players through coach education and quality competitions.

 Queensland also experienced 6% growth YOY in Junior Cricket overall whilst Senior Cricket had an improved increase of 3% YOY which was 2% above the previous year’s figure.

The Queensland Cricket Foundation (QCF) produced its biggest fund-raising result to date in 2025-26. 

More than $400,000 was raised in 2025-26 through events including the annual Summer of Cricket Lunch, QC Race Day, the Ashes Test Lunch presented by Ponting Wines, as well as QC’s Corporate Membership and donor network.

Funding was reinvested into programs that increase participation, improve access to cricket for underrepresented communities, support grassroots clubs and facilities, and deliver opportunities for young people to engage in the game. 

The Brisbane Heat attracted 150,141 fans to their five Gabba home games, the most since 2017-18 and the second highest crowd total in the BBL this summer off the back of four thrilling home wins. The WBBL Heat also sold out one of its Allan Border Field matches.

The average attendance of 30,028 was also the highest since 2017-18.

There were two Directors returned to the Board, with Jeff Pfaff and Bronwyn Atkinson each confirmed as elected officer bearers.

A special general meeting was also held prior to the AGM to approve amendments to the Queensland Cricket constitution, with all measures passed by the delegate body.

Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said there were many reasons to be optimistic about the season ahead, with the Queensland Bulls starting their season on Saturday at Allan Border Field, the WNCL champion Queensland Fire in action later his month in Sydney and Premier club and junior cricket getting underway last week.

The Queensland Cricket Annual Report is available online.