Jodie Fields’ had a stellar career as an international and domestic cricketer. She was Queensland’s first woman to captain the Australian Women's Cricket Team, leading her team to two World Cup wins in 2012 and 2013 respectively and was named Queensland Sportswoman of the Year in 2013. Jodie made history again when she drove the renewed memorandum of understanding in her role as Female Operations Manager at the Australian Cricketers’ Association for Australian Cricket to include both elite male and female players in the same agreement for the first time in a landmark moment for cricket.
Now retired from playing cricket, Jodie is passionate about furthering the development of opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity. One major focus is furthering the development of her Scholarship Program, the Jodie Fields Young Cricketer Development Scholarship, describing her love for cricket as the motivation behind launching her personal scholarship to support young aspiring female cricketers.
“Cricket has provided me with many opportunities through education, sport, leadership and friendships and this is a way I can give something back to the sport that has given me so much. Sport is crucial for encouraging confidence, aspiration, teamwork, increased self-esteem and the development of independence in girls and I hope this Scholarship can assist one girl each year to achieve their sporting and education goals.” Jodie Fields
The Jodie Fields Young Cricketer Development Scholarship was launched in 2014 and selects an aspiring young female cricketer from Queensland to benefit from the Scholarship entitlements. Sponsored by the University of Queensland Business School, Kookaburra Sport and the Queensland Cricket Association since 2015, the scholarship gives the Scholarship recipient financial assistance, a cricket apparel sponsorship from Kookaburra Sport and access to Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire games, trainings and potential mentorship from professional players in these elite teams.
The 2014 inaugural scholarship recipient from Mackay, Charli Knott, recalls the unforgettable opportunity to spend a day with the Queensland Fire team saying, “it really made me feel like part of the team and it was a fantastic insight into the life of a professional cricketer.” Last year’s recipient, Wondai resident, Renee Irvine praised Jodie “as one of the many talented cricketers and nicest people you will meet,” also saying how honoured she was to receive the scholarship and “happy to know there is assistance out there that can allow for players in country areas to be recognised.”
Ruth Johnston, a talented young off-spinner from Dalby, attends school at Fairholme College in Toowoomba and is currently enjoying the benefits of the Scholarship Program. She recently won her first Premier Cricket title as part of the Ipswich Hornets Premier Cricket side in Brisbane in the Jodie Fields Second Grade Shield final against Redlands. Ruth will be part of the Queensland Development Pathway Program for female cricketers starting in July 2018.
The scholarship gives young aspiring female cricketers a significant head-start in their cricket career and opportunity to learn from an Australian sporting great. Explaining her determination for the program,
"If I can help a young girl with their education and their development as a player, then I feel that is a positive step forward for women's cricket in Queensland, and in Australia.” Jodie Fields
The four scholarship recipients have all been outstanding candidates and young women who are aspiring cricketers yet have goals to further their education and professional opportunities. For further information, applicants can contact the Agency X website under Jodie’s profile.
The next round of applications for 2018-19 will open on October 1, 2018 through a nomination process with the Queensland Cricket Association. To find out more and how to apply for the Scholarship program please visit https://www.agencyxtalent.com.au/jodie-fields-scholarship-program
Additionally, Jodie is in-demand speaker, speaking at variety of events including sporting awards nights, corporate functions and schools. She is a versatile speaker due to her experiences during her sporting and professional career, and speaks on many topics including leadership, motivation, resilience, women in sport, being your authentic self and maintaining a positive body image.
Speaking at the Leading the Field Women in Sport Event in Brisbane recently, Megan Houghton, Executive General Manager Energy Solutions, described Jodie’s “stories of resilience, confidence and leadership that captured the hearts and minds of the audience, and you could see the engagement on every face in the room”.
Agency X Talent is honoured to work with this Australian Sporting legend and passionate advocate for women’s sport. For more information on Jodie Fields, visit www.agencyxtalent.com.au/jodie-fields , or to discuss opportunities to engage Jodie as a speaker for your next event contact us at hello@agencyx.com.au or 1300 521 605.
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