A new chapter for the Bears: UTS North Sydney First Grade ready for 2026-27

After a season of near misses and significant player development, UTS North Sydney First Grade heads into the 2026/27 NSW Premier Cricket season with a new captain, a new coach, an international-class overseas recruit, and a growing group of young players ready to establish themselves at the top level.

There is also a strong connection to the club's recent First Grade history in the coaching box. Former First Grade captain Glenn Aitken takes over as the team’s coach, bringing with him an extensive knowledge of the Bears and of Premier Cricket. Aitken was a key member of some of North Sydney's most successful sides, captaining the team during the 2010s and playing a major role in the club's 2012/13 limited-overs premiership. He finished his First Grade career with 255 wickets for the Bears, and was awarded life membership of the club in recognition of his contribution.

Aitken will work alongside a new captain in Jamieson Hedges, who takes over the leadership after a breakout 2025/26 season. Hedges was one of the revelations of last summer, scoring 417 runs and taking 25 wickets, cermenting himself as a quality all-rounder in First Grade. His 79 against Mosman and 99 in the final round were among the highlights of his season, while his five-wicket haul against Penrith underlined his ability to influence matches with the ball as well. Now, with the captaincy added to his responsibilities, Hedges will be one of the key figures in a side that is continuing to evolve.

Jamieson Hedges batting at North Sydney Oval last seasom

There is another major addition to the Bears' bowling resources, although supporters will have to wait until Round 2 to see him in action. Former England international Matt Parkinson will join North Sydney as the club's overseas player. The right-arm leg-spinner brings an extraordinary level of experience to the squad. Parkinson has represented England in all three international formats, including a Test against New Zealand at Lord's in 2022. He has also taken more than 150 first-class wickets and enjoyed a lengthy domestic career with Lancashire and Kent.

For Norths, Parkinson provides not only a proven wicket-taking option but also an opportunity for the club's younger spinners and developing players to work alongside a player who has operated at the highest levels of the game. His arrival should add another dimension to a bowling attack that is already undergoing an exciting transition.

He will have plenty of experienced support. Justin Avendano comes into the season having been named in the NSW Premier Cricket First Grade Team of the Year after a remarkable 2025/26 campaign. His 748 Belvidere Cup runs came at an average of almost 47 and included four centuries, taking him beyond 7,000 First Grade runs and to fourth on North Sydney's all-time run-scoring list.

Avendano's form has already continued into the new season. He remains the obvious focal point of the Bears' batting, but the depth around him is perhaps the most encouraging feature of the squad.

Jordan Netto is now an established First Grade batter and wicketkeeper after another productive campaign, when he scored 506 runs and struck 18 sixes. Finn Nixon-Tomko, who made 482 runs last season and produced an important 94 against Western Suburbs, provides another reliable presence near the top of the order.

There is also an increasingly exciting group of players pushing through from Second Grade.

Last season's Second Grade side finished seventh, narrowly missing the finals after winning nine matches. More importantly for the First Grade program, it produced a group of young players who demonstrated that they were ready for the step up.

Dilraj Singh was one of the standout performers, scoring a century against Penrith and finishing as Second Grade's leading run-scorer. He also showed his versatility with useful contributions with the ball and in the field. After making his First Grade debut last season, he now has the opportunity to establish himself as a regular at the top level.

Joel Austin is another player whose time has arrived. A genuine all-rounder, Joel scored a century against Mosman in Second Grade and also contributed regularly with the ball and in the field, earning him the Second Grade Player of the Year award. His performances earned him a First Grade debut last season, and he has already shown in the T20 competition that he is capable of making an impact.

Joel Austin

Aaryan Dixit, another of last season's First Grade debutants, was one of Second Grade's leading run-makers, including an unbeaten 118 against Fairfield-Liverpool. His ability to build an innings before accelerating, combined with his off-spin and athletic fielding, gives Norths another useful multi-dimensional player.

There is also plenty of pace coming through. Luke Austin emerged as one of Second Grade's most exciting young bowlers last season, taking six wickets against Randwick-Petersham and repeatedly troubling batsmen with his pace and heavy ball. He has already made his First Grade debut in the T20 competition this season, providing another indication that the club's young fast-bowling stocks are in good health.

Jaden Sequeira, who also made his First Grade debut last season, enjoyed an excellent Second Grade campaign, including five-wicket hauls against both UNSW and Gordon, and finished as the leading wicket-taker in the team. His potency with the new ball and knack of taking wickets even when batters are set will add dimensions to the attack.

The club has also welcomed back Nihal Desai, a leg-spinning all-rounder returning to North Sydney after a stint with UNSW. His ability to contribute in both disciplines adds further depth to an already varied bowling group — and gives him the exciting opportunity to work alongside Parkinson when the Englishman arrives.

The early signs from the 2026/27 T20 campaign have reinforced the promise of the emerging group. Norths opened the competition with a win over Western Suburbs, with Hedges producing a match-winning spell of 3/28, before falling to Blacktown despite unbeaten contributions of 48 from Dilraj and 37 from Joel. This was followed up by a win over a strong Parramatta side featuring a blistering 40 off 25 balls at the top of the order from Nihal, before Joel took 3/11. The Bears finished fourth in  the pool of five with two wins and two losses, perhaps unlucky to miss out on finals qualification.

The bowling attack will be an area to watch particularly closely. Last season Hamish Reynolds led the way with 26 wickets, while Hedges took 25 and Mac Jenkins and Fergus Fergusson each claimed 20. With most of these players no longer part of the group, there is an opportunity for the next generation of bowlers to take on greater responsibility alongside established campaigner James Campbell, who passed 350 First Grade wickets last season.

James Campbell will lead the Bears’ attack again this season

And from Round 2, Parkinson will add a very different challenge for opposition batsmen. His leg-spin, experience and ability to operate in both long-form and limited-overs cricket should give Aitken and Hedges another option as they look to balance the attack across the different formats.

If last summer demonstrated anything, it was that Norths are capable of competing with the best sides in the competition. The issue was converting competitive positions into wins, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Tightening up those closing stages — with both bat and ball — will be central to the Bears' ambitions this season.

There is no shortage of opportunity.

The fixture list will provide plenty of challenges early, while the second half of the season includes important home fixtures against Fairfield-Liverpool and Bankstown, and a final-round clash with Randwick Petersham.

For Aitken, the opportunity to return to the First Grade group in a coaching capacity adds another chapter to a long association with the Bears. For Hedges, it represents his first season as captain. And for Parkinson, Round 2 will mark the beginning of a new overseas chapter at North Sydney.

Around them is a group that combines established First Grade performers with some of the club's most promising young players.

The 2026/27 Bears will look different to last year's side, but the foundations are strong. Avendano remains one of the competition's premier batsmen, Hedges takes on the captaincy as a proven leader through three years captaining the Poidevin-Gray side, Aitken brings his experience from the coaching box, Parkinson adds international pedigree to the bowling attack, and behind them is a group of young players who have already demonstrated that they can perform in Premier Cricket.

For a club that has invested in developing its next generation, the next stage is clear: turn potential into consistency.

The new chapter starts now.