Photo Credit: LinkedIn Profile Photo of Courtney Winfield-Hill
The WBBL Brisbane Heat will add a home-grown success story to their off-field team as they finalise their 2023-24 Weber Women’s Big Bash League preparations ahead of this week’s opening games.
Brisbane has recruited foundation Heat player Courtney Winfield-Hill as an assistant coach for the Weber WBBL|09 season, joining head coach Ashley Noffke, former Australian Women’s coach Mark Sorell and former Queensland players Jeff Thomas and Gavin Fitness as coaching resources for the summer.
Winfield-Hill, who played 15 WBBL games for the Heat as Courtney Hill, married English International player and fellow foundation WBBL Heat player Lauren Winfield in 2020.
Originally from Monto, Winfield-Hill learned her cricket in Rockhampton and played 39 games for the Queensland Fire as a right-arm pace bowler, as well as competing as a professional sprinter outside of her cricket career.
Her decision to relocate to England with Winfield saw her embark on a remarkable second career as a professional rugby league player, playing for Leeds and England, as well as having a stint with the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW.
A goal-kicking halfback, she retired from rugby league last year after the Women’s World Cup where England reached the semi-finals.
The 36-year-old is a member of the coaching panel for the Northern Diamonds which competes in England’s professional women’s county cricket competition as well as working during The Hundred.
Noffke said the club was in a fortunate position to welcome back Winfield-Hill.
“Courtney was around the group last season as a past Heat and Queensland player and we enjoyed her involvement with the team,’’ Noffke said.
“She is passionate about whatever she does, and we’re all looking forward to working with her across the WBBL.”
“She’s a teacher and has competed very successfully across several elite sports and so the group will benefit greatly from her insights,” Noffke said.
Winfield-Hill will be on deck for the opening games of the WBBL, with the Heat in action this Friday in Melbourne when they take on the Melbourne Renegades at CitiPower Centre from 2pm Qld time. That game will be streamed live on Kayo and broadcast on Foxtel.
