Mac Jenkins - always say yes
UTS North Sydney’s First Grade skipper, Mac Jenkins, has a long list of achievements in the game, and is still just 24. The talented all-rounder is in his second season as our full-time captain, having joined us in 2019/20 from Randwick-Petersham, and having worked his way up the NSW junior pathways and played junior cricket for Australia. He also owns multiple businesses, including a new AI coaching platform, and is about to start full-time work as a graduate lawyer.
It’s quite remarkable that we managed to pin Mac down for a few minutes to tell us about his career highlights to date, how he fits it all in, and how club cricket differs in the UK from Sydney!
1. When did your cricketing journey begin?
My cricket journey began with Eastern Suburbs Juniors at about 8-9 years old after our rugby coach wanted to keep the rugby team together over the summer period.
2. Who is a player you looked up to growing up, and why?
I always looked up to Daniel Vettori and the way he went about his cricket. He always bowled with great shape and loved tossing the ball up.
3. This is your seventh season with the Bears after joining us as an 18-year-old. What is your best memory to date in the red and black?
One of the better memories I have early on at the Bears was when our First Grade team found out we had made finals. There was plenty of laughter and singing in the sheds after some results went our way in the last round to qualify us in the top six. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic intervened and that was the end of the season without the finals being played. On a personal level, a highlight would be the game against Gordon a couple of years ago at Chatswood Oval where I was able to make a hundred and take 6 wickets in the same match and we won a 800-run contest 7 runs.
(The subject of an article published this winter - Ed)
Highlights of the bowling innings in the famous win over Gordon in 2022 including Mac's 6-fa. Watch to the end for his brilliant C&B and epic celebration!
4. You made your First Grade debut aged 17 in 2018/19 for Randwick-Petersham playing alongside David Warner, and the season before played for Australia in an Under 16 series against Pakistan. Tell us about those experiences.
Playing with professional cricketers, not only David but various overseas pros at both Randwick-Petersham and UTS North Sydney, have provided invaluable experience as to how they approach the game. I think the skills in First Grade cricket are a lot closer to the professional ranks than people might think. But the consistency with which the professionals perform is higher. A lot of that comes down to these players understanding their game 100% and backing it. There was an article where Harjas Singh spoke about this very topic following his incredible 300 earlier this year. A lot of the cricket game is mental, and that’s where those pros are just a class above.
The Under 16 series was an amazing experience and to see some of my former teammates go on and represent the country (Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tanveer Sangha) is something all the boys who were in that team feel very proud about.
Mac in Aussie colours
5. You captained our PGs team in the 2019/20 Grand Final and for two full seasons, and are now in your second year as our First Grade skipper. What do you enjoy most about captaincy?
I enjoy being able to problem solve during the game. As an all-rounder I am fortunate to be involved in the fixture when we are both batting and bowling, but the captaincy side adds another aspect to work through while fielding.
Mac and the first Bears team he captained, PGs in the 2019/20 Grand Final
6. How do you feel the Bears First Grade squad are going so far this season and what are your hopes for the back half of 2025/26?
I think the best way to describe our season so far has been rocks and diamonds. The average age of our team would have to be the lowest in Premier Cricket, but we do have two great experienced heads in Justin Avendano and James Campbell who provide invaluable experience. We have achieved back-to-back wins heading into Christmas which bodes well ahead of the remaining red-ball fixtures, where I think we play our best cricket.
7. You've spent a couple of winters playing in the UK, most recently for Ickenham in North West London. How's the experience playing over there different from NSW Premier Cricket and what do you most enjoy about it?
This might ruffle some feathers but I think the biggest difference is that all cricketers in the UK club scene are driven by this desire to play for the team and their mates. Obviously the pathways system is very different over there. It is difficult to make the jump from club cricket to professional without being in a county set up, so a lot of the players are simply playing for enjoyment and the social aspect. Compare that to First Grade here where almost everyone has aspirations to play professionally. Sometimes I think that is borne out in the way individuals go about the game.
I’ll give you an example from a bowling perspective. The English love attacking spinners, and you see these wild swings because all games are one-dayers. Who knows, that might also trickle down from the Bazball culture of the Test team. But in NSW Premier Cricket, batters seem to place far more value on their wickets. They are more inclined to take only calculated risks against the bowling.
8. As well as captaining the Bears, you run a coaching business (MJ Coaching) and are soon to start work for law firm Minter Ellison, having completed your law degree and spent time working in the Cricket NSW integrity team. It makes us tired just thinking about all that... how do you fit it in, and do you reckon you can keep balancing playing, coaching and practising law as all your careers progress?
Time management is the key. Someone spoke to me early on after I finished school about quality over quantity, and I think that carries over to everything in life. I feel like sometimes when I was younger, I might have over-trained, hitting balls just simply to hit balls. Now I am much more targeted in the way I train. That opens up time to explore other opportunities which include travelling while playing overseas.
While on my most recent trip, I also developed an app which will be released in February. It’s a Proprietary Ai Coaching platform called Edge-Ai that provides drills and technical assistance to users instantly on a real time basis. As the app is targeted towards grassroots cricket, it’s been an exciting project – bringing together all my experience and skills – before I head into full-time work with MinterEllison.
9. What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
What if it’s better than you could ever imagine?
10. What would you tell a 12-year-old Mac Jenkins?
Always say yes.
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
Great question! I could give you about five different options but I definitely think playing cricket with my mates at the Bears is high on the list!
Mac celebrates a wicket with teammate, Justin Avendano
