JUGGLING multiple jobs while rising through the ranks as a professional cricketer was all in a day’s work for Lismore product Sammy-Jo Johnson.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old has officially retired from top grade cricket in a career which started in 2011 after she made her state debut for Queensland.<\/p>\n
She was still in Year 12 at Blue Hills College, Goonellabah at the time and had been playing against the men in the Far North Coast competition.<\/p>\n
Her dedication and support from the local branch of the Lord’s Taverners helped put her in the NSW pathway system for state cricket.<\/p>\n
She juggled work and study while trying to find a full-time spot in state cricket.<\/p>\n
She eventually travelled India with the Australia A team in 2018, while working in the automobile industry where she further developed her passion for car racing<\/p>\n
“I’m excited for the next chapter. Becoming a mechanic has always been a dream of mine, and now I’ll be one step closer to moving into that full time,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n
“I’m also looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, and of course, racing at Sydney Dragway.<\/p>\n
“I’m incredibly grateful to Cricket NSW for the pathways they provided me as a junior. The underage and school programs were vital to my development and set me up for senior cricket.”<\/p>\n
Johnson played some of her best cricket with the Queensland Fire and won back-to-back titles with the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash.<\/p>\n
She returned to play for NSW in 2020 and captained the Breakers on 17 occasions.<\/p>\n
Alstonville product Georgia Redmayne was captain of Queensland in one of the games.<\/p>\n
The pair, along with Bangalow cricketer Angela Reakes, have paved the way for the next crop of FNC females to play professionally.<\/p>\n
Johnson’s final match saw her part of the NSW team who won the 2024-2025 Women’s National Cricket League final.<\/p>\n
“I do have to thank Queensland for the opportunity they afforded me to debut in WNCL and WBBL, but wearing the Baggy Blue was always the dream,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Leading the side has been one of my greatest honours and even through the challenges, I was always well supported and loved every moment.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JUGGLING multiple jobs while rising through the ranks as a professional cricketer was all in a day’s work for Lismore product Sammy-Jo Johnson. The 32-year-old has officially retired from top grade cricket in a career which started in 2011 after she made her state debut for Queensland. She was still in Year 12 at Blue […]<\/p>\n