The South Australian Cricket Association officially launched the 2026/27 domestic season last week, with staff and players from both the men's and women's programs coming together ahead of another exciting domestic season.
Held in the John Halbert Room overlooking Adelaide Oval and hosted by award-winning journalist and speaker Jess Adamson, the season launch brought the wider SACA team together for a breakfast, before official proceedings commenced with an ice-breaking 'Boomwhacker' activity led by Kahl Hopper from Human Rhythm.
The team-building exercise challenged players and staff to work together, listen to one another and find their rhythm as a group.
The activity also provided a fitting introduction to the theme of the morning with SACA CEO Charlie Hodgson reflecting on how the exercise demonstrated the strength of people working together, in his opening address
Hodgson welcomed attendees and looked back on the organisation’s successes from the previous season before turning his attention to the opportunities ahead in 2026/27.
A panel discussion featuring men’s head coach Ryan Harris, women’s assistant coach Nicole Bolton, men’s captain Nathan McSweeney and women’s captain Jemma Barsby, provided an insight into the season's preparations across both programs.
With women's head coach Mick Delaney currently in India with the Australia A squad as an assistant coach, Bolton represented the South Australian women’s program on the panel and spoke about the opportunity to lead the side in the opening two matches of the season.
Barsby also highlighted the importance of leadership within the South Australian women’s group, as well as the development opportunities available to the next generation of players.
For the men’s program, Harris and McSweeney reflected on a historic 2025/26 season, which saw South Australia claim back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles, before looking ahead and discussing how the team plans to build on that success.
McSweeney also discussed his strong off-season, including a stint with Northamptonshire in county cricket and selection to the Australia A squad, alongside fellow South Australians Liam Scott, Spencer Johnson, Jason Sangha and Brendan Doggett.
The season launch also looked beyond the field, with board members Dan Harris and Andrea McCauley leading a roaming Q&A with SACA staff, providing an opportunity to hear from key departments.
With the domestic season now underway, the season launch provided an opportunity to come together, celebrate the achievements of the past season and look ahead to the 2026/27 seasons.