Building Champions: How Gordon's Academy Changed the Game
Gordon District Cricket Club | February 23, 2026
When Geoff Hickman gathered ten teenagers together in 2001, he wasn't just starting a cricket academy. He was betting on an idea that would reshape Gordon District Cricket Club.
Most cricket clubs talk about "pathways." Gordon decided to actually build one.
With Paul Stephenson joining Geoff in the management team, the Academy created a concept was deceptively simple: stop hoping talented youngsters would figure it out themselves, and start investing in their development properly. But the execution? That required vision, money, and a willingness to think differently about what cricket development actually meant.
The Professional Difference
Here's what initially set Gordon apart - they paid for professional coaches when most clubs were still relying entirely on volunteers. Thanks to sponsors like Lyn Bradshaw and later Peter Horwitz, the Academy brought in serious credentials. Steve Smith (the Test player and NSW selector, not the current batting champion), Matt Nicholson fresh from his Australian debut, and specialist coaches like Mark O'Neill who understood elite development.
"We weren't running nets," recalls one early participant. "We were getting individually tailored programs that covered everything - technique, tactics, fitness, mental skills, even lifestyle management."
The proof arrived quickly. By 2005-06, ten Academy graduates had already cracked First Grade. Players like Matt Michael, Brett Rosen, and Julian Stephenson weren't just filling gaps - they were genuine contributors who'd been properly prepared for the jump.
Growth and Adaptation
Success created its own problems. By 2003, talented 16 and 17-year-olds were being turned away because the Under 21 program was full. The solution was expansion - add an Under 19 group, then later an Under 16 division targeting that crucial 13-15 age bracket where good and bad habits get locked in.
From ten nervous teenagers, the Academy exploded to over seventy players across three divisions. Suddenly Gordon was drawing talent from well beyond the North Shore - country kids, central coast prospects, anyone serious about developing their game.
Tim Packman's fitness assessments became legendary. Not just "run around a bit" - proper testing of aerobic capacity, core strength, flexibility, with individualized improvement programs. This was professional athlete preparation for amateur cricketers still in high school.
More Than Cricket
The Academy's master stroke? Recognizing that cricket skills alone weren't enough.
Communication sessions brought in everyone from sports psychologists to company CEOs like Kevin Roberts. The message: cricket teaches life skills, not just cover drives. Brad Haddin and Brian Taber shared insights from their careers. Shore, Kings, and Knox First XIs got regular lessons in humility playing against the Academy team.
These matches weren't just showcases - they were masterclasses. First Grade players would play alongside Academy members, providing real-time coaching that no training drill could replicate. The Academy team's undefeated record against elite school teams spoke volumes about the program's effectiveness.
The Academy now has a different method of operation, however the early days certainly set up a process that has worked well over many years.
Photo: Ed Howitt and the 2007 Academy team
