A serious arm injury curtailed Nick Fitzpatrick’s career as a cricketer but the Sunshine Coaster says it was probably a blessing in disguise.
A three-time Queensland Premier Grade player of the year, starring for Toombul and the Scorchers, a bicep problem cruelled his chances of promotion and further game time.
However, the 35-year-old has since forged a significant path as a coach, and he is one of the key men behind the introduction of cricket’s next big thing – the Australian Premier League/Brisbane Premier League.
“I’m actually very grateful, as silly as it sounds, that I got injured when I was 27.
“I was able to turn my focus.”
Fitzpatrick (pictured below right) ventured into the coaching realm and joined forces with Caboolture product Joel Hamilton to form the Australian Cricket Institute almost five years ago.
“I was focused on coaching with video training and he was doing face to face coaching … and we thought we could draw on each other’s skill sets and try and make it a bit of a powerhouse,” he said.
Their coaching program attracted attention from National Premier League organisers in South Africa, who contacted them to see if they would be interested in forming a partnership to bring the exciting Twenty20 competition to Australia.
The NPL has had great success during the past 11 years, with 25 franchises and more than 2000 players participating.
Fitzpatrick and Hamilton spent months speaking to stakeholders in South Africa before “moving forward” with the APL in Australia.
They have since garnered the support of high-profile cricket personalities Ian Healy, Mark Nicholas and Stuart Giles, along with other backers.
Like this story? Get more just like it direct to your inbox by subscribing to our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article to register
The privately-owned league is set to cater for juniors and seniors.
The BPL will be the first tournament to launch in Australia, with eight franchises, including the Coastal Marlins (out of the Sunshine Coast).
An auction night will be held, likely in May or June at the Gabba, for franchises to bid for senior players within a fantasy salary cap.
Meanwhile, juniors will take part in a draft for under-12s, 13s, 15s, 17s and 19s.
Player nominations will open this month.
Fitzpatrick said the league could be an exciting bridge for amateur players towards the professional ranks.
“Eventually we want it to sit just under the BBL as a bit of a feeder and provide a bit of an opportunity for players to showcase their talent and maybe put their name up in lights for Big Bash franchises.”
Some of the Sunshine Coast’s best players have already indicated a willingness to play, including gun allrounder Alecz Day and Josh Matthews.
“I think most of the Sunshine Coast Scorchers will (nominate),” Fitzpatrick said.
“They’re all pretty excited about it (because) it’s a new fresh concept, mixing with different players.”
He believed franchises will try to sign some key local players.
“You want the best players from your region in your team because if you’ve got some local senior talent in your team then kids can look up to them and I think that’s a real positive.”
The franchises are Northern Kings, Gold Coast Waveriders, Moreton Magic, Western Power, Bayside Pirates, Coastal Marlins, Southern Storm and the Darling Dingoes.
