Building on the Momentum - Q&A with UTS North Sydney Women's Head Coach, Petar Sredojevic

UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | July 31, 2025

The Bears have appointed Petar Sredojevic as Women's Head Coach for 2025/26 after he joined the club as an Assistant Coach last season. A Level 3 qualified coach with a passion for evidence-based player development, Petar previously enjoyed a successful Grade career as a player with Penrith and Petersham Marrickville. Ahead of the new season, we sat down with Petar to hear about his playing days, coaching ethos and what he's excited about for the year ahead,

Where did your cricketing journey begin?

My cricketing journey began playing alongside my good mate Allan Berry (Chucky) at Blacktown Workers. That’s where my love for the game truly started. We’d play our weekend matches, then carry on with late-night Test matches in the hallway, some of my happiest childhood memories. To this day, Chucky continues to inspire the way I approach cricket.

Who is a player you looked up to growing up, and why?

Growing up, I always admired Wayne Holdsworth. I loved the way he bowled and terrorised batters and the impact he could have on a game. The 1992/93 Shield Final sticks in my mind, where he took 7 wickets in the second innings to inspire NSW to a big win.

How would you describe your game from your playing days?

I was primarily an opening bowler, known for training hard and giving my all. With the bat, I prided myself on being determined and always trying to make a contribution for the team.

When was your First Grade debut and what can you remember from it?

It was back in the 90s. I do remember it vividly because my debut was against UNSW. Trevor Bayliss was our captain, and Geoff Lawson was theirs. To suddenly find myself bowling against a side captained by someone I had grown up watching on television and greatly admired was a "pinch-yourself" moment.

You won a Second Grade premiership with Penrith in 1993 (read more). What did it take to win the flag?

We had outstanding leadership in Greg Douglas, who really set the standard both on and off the field. That team was full of quality players, Paul Maraziotis (Mazza), Murray Rayner (Maxi), and Grant Parmenter (Parmy) to name just a few. I still remember Maxi making a record-breaking double century and Jason Conn and Phil Chie were brilliant with the ball the whole season. It was a well-balanced, determined group, and the camaraderie we built got us to the flag.

Who was the best player you played with, and who had the biggest influence on your career?

I had the privilege of playing alongside David Capel, the former England all-rounder. He taught me more about the craft of bowling than I’d learned in all the years before. His knowledge, attention to detail, and professionalism left a lasting impression on me, not just in how I approached the game, but in how I later approached coaching as well.

What achievement in your playing days are you most proud of?

I have to say taking a 7-for against Northern District. Not only did they have a long list of good players, but it was also Mark Taylor’s last game of grade cricket. To be a part of that match and to contribute is something I’ll always remember. The ball from that match went straight to the “pool room".

What got you into coaching and what do you enjoy about it?

I first became involved in coaching at St Mary’s Indoor Cricket Academy, where I was fortunate to have the support and guidance of John Rennie and Greg Gavin. They encouraged me, gave me opportunities, and instilled the confidence to pursue coaching, honestly, without them, I doubt I’d still be involved in cricket beyond my playing days.

What I enjoy as a coach is if I can help players unlock some of their potential so that they can discover what they’re capable of. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the confidence a player feels when their hard work translates into results.

What achievement in your coaching career are you most proud of?

Towards the end of my playing days, I returned to Blacktown as club coach. Winning the First Grade Shires premiership with a group of mates I’d grown up with (Chucky, Razor, Shawy, Wacca, Slaney, and Madsen et al) was incredibly special. Although the boys didn’t need any real “coaching” (they wouldn’t have listened to me anyway), the experience felt like coming full circle and it’s something I look back on with great fondness.

What's your coaching philosophy?

I try to take the often-subjective elements of cricket and make them as objective and measurable as possible. By doing so, performance can be tracked, analysed, and improved. I believe in combining the feel of the game with a structured, evidence-based approach that gives players both clarity and accountability.

This belief inspired me to develop PlayerTracker.net. It’s a performance platform designed to provide players and coaches with meaningful data, helping to transform observations into measurable progress and ensuring every player has a clear understanding of their development journey.

Petar on the sidelines with the Bears last season

You and your daughter Lana joined the Bears last season. How did you enjoy your first year with the club, and how are you going to build on it in 2025/26?

We absolutely loved it. Lana had a fantastic year, and her 7-for was a moment I’ll never forget. For me, it was wonderful to share that with her while also contributing to the club. Looking ahead to 2025/26, I’m focused on building on that momentum, helping Lana and all our players continue to grow, develop their skills, and embrace the challenges of the next level.

What are you most excited about for the year ahead?

What excites me most is seeing players evolve, stepping up, taking on new responsibilities, growing in confidence, and realising that they’re capable of more than they may have believed. That progression is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.

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