Ballina Junior Cricket Carnival

*Worldviews and ways of life in Australia*

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Access the survey here (https://anu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Ao5q9gu3ysrbVQ) in English or Tiếng Việt or ਪੰਜਾਬੀ or 简体中文 or 繁體中文 or العربية.
Any questions can be emailed to the researchers ([email protected]). Thanks so much!

🐰🏏 Happy Easter 🐰🏏

Wishing all our players, coaches, families and supporters a wonderful Easter filled with joy, laughter and plenty of chocolate!

Thank you for your continued support throughout the season — we hope you enjoy a well-earned break and we can’t wait to see back at the carnival again.

Enjoy your long weekend! 💙

*****BREAKING NEWS*****

For the first time ever, the carnival committee has announced a LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival Dream Team.

The LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival Dream Team represents the very best of an outstanding week of junior cricket — a team selected not just on statistics, but on impact, consistency, sportsmanship and the ability to rise to the moment when it mattered most.

Led by Isaac Lovell (Brisbane North), the Dream Team is built around balance and versatility, featuring six batters, six bowlers and a specialist wicket keeper. Together, they reflect the depth of talent on show throughout the carnival and the high standard of cricket played across all divisions.

At the top of the order and through the middle, the batting group showcased composure, shot selection and the courage to take responsibility in big moments. These players set the tone for matches, absorbed pressure, and played match-shaping innings that turned games and carried their teams deep into finals contention.

The bowling unit was relentless. From new-ball strike bowlers to clever change options, this group consistently applied pressure, took wickets at crucial times and demonstrated excellent discipline and game awareness well beyond their years. Their ability to defend totals and swing momentum was a defining feature of the carnival.

Behind the stumps, the wicket keeper, Harry, stood out with sharp hands, quick thinking and constant energy — a vital presence who influenced games in ways that don’t always appear on the scorecard.

What makes this Dream Team special is not just individual talent, but what each player represents: commitment to improvement, respect for teammates and opponents, and a genuine love for the game. Players came from different teams and regions, but together they form a group that embodies the spirit of the Ballina Carnival — competitive, inclusive and memorable.

Selection in the Dream Team is something to be incredibly proud of, but it’s also a reminder that this is just the beginning. The skills, habits and experiences gained this week will carry these players forward in their cricket journeys.

Congratulations to every player selected — and to all participants across the carnival. Keep training, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying your cricket. 🏏

Carnival Dream Team

🏏Tom Spencer – Mid North Coast
🏏 John Bull – FNC Thunder
🏏 Isaac Lovell ( C )– Brisbane North
🏏 Kiyan Jayasuriya – MSW
🏏 Ky O’Grady -FNC Sixers
🏏 Daniel Martin – North Coast
🧤 Harry Baker (WK) - North Shore
🔴 Edison Spencer -Lake Mac
🔴 Edward Stott – North Shore
🔴 Anthony Spoto – BEARS
🔴 Thomas Copelin – Gregory Terrace
🔴 Charlie Williamson –Maitland
🔴 Ted Henry -Gregory Terrace

Well done Nate...

Time to celebrate the high achievers for the carnivals. No one achieves these great results without a team of players, coaches and supporters behind them.

100+ Runs Club

Nate Krause - Newcastle 134 vs Coalfields
Tom Spencer – MNC 124 vs Manly
Ky O’Grady – FNC 113 vs North Shore
John Bull – FNC 109 vs Coalfields
Isaac Lovell – Brisbane North 101 vs Coalfields
Kiyan Jayasuriya – MSW 100 vs FNC Thunder

5+ Wickets Club

Charlie Williamson – Maitland – 6/10 vs GT
Charlie Williamson – Maitland – 5/22 vs FNC Thunder
Edward Stott – North Shore – 5/31 vs Sixers
Myles Griffith – FNC – 5/21 vs Coalfields
Morgan Clare – MSW – 6/29 vs FNC Sixers
Thomas Copelin – GT- 5/16 vs Maitland

Congratulations to all players and award winners.

Great video from MSW Blue team that recently played at the LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival.

Looks like your team had a great time. We hope you enjoyed your stay and look forward to seeing MSW back next year.

MSW Blue U13 - Ballina Junior Cricket Carnival

🏆 2026 LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival - Division Champions Wrap Up.

The 2026 LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival delivered a week of outstanding junior cricket, sportsmanship and unforgettable moments.

Across four divisions, teams tested themselves against strong opposition, adapted to different conditions, and grew with every match on fields across the Ballina region.

By Friday, four deserving champions emerged — each with a story built on teamwork, resilience and belief.

🥇 Division 1 Champions
Brisbane North

Brisbane North Maroon capped off an exceptional carnival by claiming the Division 1 Grand Final, edging out Manly in a thrilling contest.

Their path to the final was built on consistency and composure. Brisbane North were strong throughout the group stages, showing balance across batting, bowling and fielding.

A confident semi-final performance booked their place in the Grand Final, where they were tested to the very end.

In the decider, Brisbane North held their nerve under pressure, defending their total and closing out a tight 6-run victory. It was a fitting reward for a team that played smart, disciplined cricket all week and embraced the challenge of competing at the highest level of the carnival.

🥇 Division 2 Champions
Mid North Coast

Mid North Coast produced one of the most dominant performances of the finals series, finishing the week as Division 2 Champions.

After building momentum during the group stage, Mid North Coast peaked at the right time. Their semi-final win set up a highly anticipated final against Inner West Harbour, but on the final stage, Mid North Coast delivered a complete team performance.

Batting first, they posted an imposing total before backing it up with relentless bowling and sharp fielding. The result was a commanding 115-run victory, showcasing the depth, preparation and unity of the squad. It was a powerful way to finish a strong carnival campaign.

🥇 Division 3 Champions
Maitland

Maitland’s Division 3 campaign was defined by grit, improvement and belief. After navigating a competitive group stage and earning their finals berth, they showed real character when it mattered most.

Their Grand Final against North Shore was a tense, hard-fought contest that went down to the final moments. Maitland chased calmly under pressure, keeping wickets in hand and trusting their processes.

In the end, Maitland secured a dramatic 1-wicket victory on the last ball of the game. A result that reflected their resilience and teamwork that had shown all week. It was a memorable finish to a carnival where the group grew together and rose to every challenge placed in front of them.

🥇 Division 4 Champions
Far North Coast Thunder

Far North Coast Thunder rounded out the carnival with a strong Division 4 Grand Final performance, closing the week as deserving champions.

Their journey through the carnival was one of steady progress. As the week went on, the Thunder improved with every match, building confidence and cohesion. A solid semi-final performance earned them a place in the final against MSW.

In the decider, FNC Thunder showed maturity beyond their years, chasing successfully and finishing the job with a composed 5-wicket win. It was a reward for a team that embraced learning, supported each other and played the game in the right spirit.

🌟 A Carnival to Remember

Every division winner at the 2026 LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival earned their success through effort, teamwork and a love of the game. Just as importantly, every team involved left with new friendships, valuable experiences and memories that will last well beyond this week.

Congratulations to all division champions — and to every player who took part. Keep training, keep learning, and most of all, keep enjoying your cricket journey. 🏏💙

🏆 Brisbane North – Division 1 Champions
2026 LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival

Brisbane North have rightfully claimed the Division 1 Championship at the 2026 LJ Ho**er Ballina Under 13 Cricket Carnival, finishing an outstanding week of cricket with a thrilling 6-run victory over Manly in the Grand Final.

Across five days in Ballina, this Brisbane North side showcased everything junior cricket strives to develop — skill, teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship.

From the opening matches through to finals day, they played with confidence and composure, earning their place as the top-performing team of the carnival.

📈 The Road to the Title

Brisbane North’s journey to the championship was built on consistency and character:

Dominant pool-stage performances, finishing as one of the standout teams of the tournament

A controlled and professional semi-final victory to book a place in the Division 1 Grand Final

A high-pressure Grand Final, where they defended their total superbly and held their nerve to defeat Manly by just 6 runs

The Grand Final was a true contest, but Brisbane North’s discipline with the ball, sharp fielding and calm decision-making under pressure proved the difference on the biggest stage.

🏏 A Complete Team Performance

This title was a genuine team achievement. Contributions came from every corner of the squad — strong leadership, vital runs, crucial wickets, and relentless effort in the field. Each player embraced their role and lifted when it mattered most.

🏅 Division 1 Championship Squad – Brisbane North Players

Isaac Lovell (Captain)
Lachlan Condon
George Castley
Amitaj Singh
Sam Mellifont
Aidan Field
Lachlan Widt
Joshua Nolen
Aidan Rainbow
Will Andrews
Archie Stratton
Lachlan Stark

Coaching Staff
Coach: Troy Mee
Assistant Coach: Dan Moyle
Team Managers: Matt Castley & Brad Lovell

👏 Leadership On and Off the Field

The leadership shown by Captain Isaac Lovell set the tone throughout the carnival, while the guidance of Coach Troy Mee and Assistant Coach Dan Moyle ensured the team was prepared, confident and united. The tireless work of Managers Matt Castley and Brad Lovell behind the scenes allowed players to focus fully on performing at their best.

🌟 More Than Just Champions

This championship is about more than a trophy. It represents early mornings, long days, shared laughs, tough moments and unforgettable memories. It’s about friendships formed, lessons learned and confidence built — moments that will stay with these players long after the final ball was bowled.

🏆 Brisbane North — Division 1 Champions, Ballina 2026.