THE term ‘progression’ has added meaning for loyal Ipswich cricket coach Marcus Hillier.
The former Marburg and Northsiders premiership-winning allrounder has been appointed Ipswich Hornets Lord Taverners [under-17] coach for next season.
That is a deserved step forward for Hillier after he previously coached Hornets and SEQ sides from under-12 up to last season’s under-15 team.
Rising up the junior coaching ranks after growing up at Minden, Hillier is eager to work with the next generation of Hornets senior players based at Amberley.
“I’ve had a lot to do with that group of kids so I’m excited to go in there with a fresh approach,” he said.
Hillier’s appointment gives him time to run trials, building a squad in the lead-up to the 2025-26 competition scheduled to start in early September.
The Lord Taverners competition is a pathway to Queensland Premier Grade cricket.
“It’s the pinnacle for that age group,” Hillier said.
“This is the next step into senior cricket.”
Hillier is looking for players with valuable attributes to take the Hornets forward.
“I like that kid that can compete on every play . . . a good team man,” he said.
“I’m after those kids that will give 100 per cent.
“It’s always a challenge to pick the team and get the right sort of players and attitude.”
Marcus, 41, is a part of the Hillier dynasty.
He grew up on a Minden farm playing backyard sport with his brothers Michael and Robert, and their country neighbours.
The Hillier trio shared in three first grade cricket premierships - one at Marburg and two with Northsiders.
The brothers played together in Marburg's first A-Grade premiership-winning team in 2002.
Middle brother Marcus joined Michael and younger brother Robert when they moved from the Marburg club to Northsiders for the 2003-04 Ipswich season.
They remained a combined force in Northsiders’ A-Grade premiership successes in the 2009-10 and 2011-12 seasons.
Ipswich plumber Marcus says he appreciates his upbringing.
“It’s just growing up in the country,” he said.
“We played cricket in the summer and a fair bit of footy in the winter.”
Hillier coached the Hornets under-15 team that only lost one match last year.
He was previously guided sides at development carnivals and state tournaments. That included last year’s SEQ under-14 team that played at the Gold Coast.
Hillier earlier shared in junior premiership success with the Northsiders club.
“Those kids are going well now,” he said.
The Ipswich youth coach welcomed his latest opportunity having gained experience in past selection processes and seeing the standard of quality cricket needed to progress.
“All that stuff is always going to put you in good stead,” he said.
Hillier says he also appreciates the club development efforts of past senior Hornets coaches like Aaron Moore working at Cricket Ipswich’s Amberley fields.
“Hopefully we can get some of these kids flowing from the Tavs [Lord Taverners] into the senior ranks.”