UTS North Sydney Women's Third Grade Season Wrap for 2025-26
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | April 29, 2026
By Evy McKay (Third Grade Captain)
The Women’s Third Grade 2025/26 campaign proved just how much the side has grown, and continued to support women and girls, of all backgrounds, playing and loving cricket.
When I started playing senior cricket at the Bears, there was only a very young and inexperienced Brewers team, and a Third Grade Women’s team. Over the past 4 - 5 seasons the participation, and genuine competitiveness, of the women’s side of the club has grown immensely.
Our season started positively, with a string of wins and a couple of slim losses. Well, except for one particular round at a ground which seems to be our weak spot every season. I personally think Gannons Park, where it is perpetually rainy, might actually be cursed. However, if that ground has taught Third Grade one thing over the many seasons we’ve played there, it is how to stay humble.
Around Christmas we had a few byes and washed out games, but starting back at the beginning of 2026 we faced Manly and took a lot of learnings away which would come in handy at the back end of our season.
Team Huddle
Each round, players of all ages got to prove themselves and contribute to what became a very well rounded and strong team. Whether it was a 3-fa, opening the batting for the first time and holding down the fort, or putting up a solid last pair partnership to frustrate the opposition - it was all wonderful to see and at times very entertaining.
After an amazing season and finishing 3rd on the ladder, we were exhilarated to be in the semi-finals. We took on Manly and produced our best fielding and bowling performance of the season. There were wickets shared around among the bowlers, and three incredibly important catches from Hetti Blackburn with her magnetic hands. It is safe to say that our previous match ups with manly had paid off, as we rolled through their line up with their highest individual score being just 12 runs. Unfortunately, our outstanding efforts in the field weren’t enough to get us over the line. While we may not have made it through to the Grand Final, it was clear that the entire squad (both those playing, and those who showed up to support) stood strong in their Bears values, and produced a performance we could be proud of.
Semi-Finals vs. Manly
Over the years, there have been plenty of personnel changes, from the players to the coaching staff and supporters. Thank you to all our coaches this season, but especially to Anna Buckle, our 3rd grade coach, and Vinay Nair who showed up consistently for us on game day.
While women's cricket, especially Third Grade, has not always been provided with the support or resources that they’ve deserved, I’m glad that our team has been a solid foundation for the women’s side of the club to expand greatly, since its beginnings. I’m very proud that this team has remained a positive space for so many women (and girls) to not only improve their skills and prove that we are a competitive side, but also to truly just enjoy their cricket.
