It's Official ... Courtney's On Fire

Courtney Sippel in action … earlier this year she hit a ton in a game against the Gold Coast in the Brisbane Premier Grade competition (Photo: Brody Grogan)

Courtney is not only good with the bat … she’s also a more-than-handy fast bowler
(Photo: Brody Grogan)

May 18, 2018

Young Murgon cricketer Courtney Sippel is following in the footsteps of Kingaroy’s Holly Ferling, signing a contract this week to be part of the Queensland Fire squad for 2018-19.

The Fire are Queensland’s senior women’s cricket team, representing the State in the Women’s National Cricket League.

Sippel, a right-arm fast bowler and middle order bat, played in a Women’s Big Bash League U18 exhibition match at the MCG during the season after impressing in the Queensland U18 Women’s team at the National Championships.

The all-rounder, who only recently turned 17, also caught the eye of selectors with a 5/23 in a Queensland XI that defeated the touring USA Women’s team in a one-day game in April.

She has been playing for Wests in the Brisbane Premier Grade competition since 2016.

Earlier this year, Courtney notched up her first century with the club, finishing 111 not out in a match against the Gold Coast.

Last year, playing against University (and five Fire bowlers), she hit her first 50 for Wests.

In 2016, Courtney was named the South Burnett’s Junior Sports Award winner at the annual Australia Day awards.

She has been playing cricket since the age of six in South Burnett competitions, mostly dominated by boys.

She has represented Wide Bay in school cricket, captaining and co-captaining teams from the age of 10, and making her way into the Queensland junior team every year since 2012.

In 2014, at age 13, Courtney was selected in a 20-girl squad to train for four days at the National Cricket Centre.