Each week, Benjamin Law engages public figures in candid conversations about topics often kept private, using a roll of the die to determine the subjects. This week, he sits down with Ellyse Perry, a trailblazing sportswoman who, at 34, remains a formidable force in both cricket and soccer. Perry made history as Australia’s youngest international cricketer, debuting in a one-day match at just 16 in 2007. She is also the only athlete to have represented Australia in both cricket and soccer World Cups.
From Backyard Games to Professional Glory
Reflecting on her journey, Perry shares that making a living from sports was never part of her childhood dreams. “Definitely not,” she admits. “As a kid, being involved in sport was about the pure joy of it. From as early as I can remember, we used to head out to the backyard or local park to be active: run, jump, kick, catch, and ride bikes. It was just a natural progression to get involved in organised sport once I went to school.”
Back then, professional women’s cricket was not a viable career path. “When I was growing up, women’s sport wasn’t really a viable career option for female athletes. Even when I started out at an international level, it wasn’t a full-time option,” Perry explains. The first tour she went on saw teammates juggling other jobs or studies, ranging from postal workers to physiotherapists.
Evolution of Women’s Sports
Over the years, the landscape of women’s sports has evolved, offering more opportunities and recognition. Perry recently signed a new three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers cricket team, a decision driven by passion rather than financial gain. “It was all the other things,” she says. “I’ve been with the Sixers since its inception and have loved every minute. The chance to – probably – finish my career [with them] was really exciting.”
Despite her fame, Perry maintains a grounded perspective on wealth. “In many respects, yes,” she laughs when asked if she’s rich. “I had the most amazing upbringing. I live in a country that has provided all sorts of opportunities. It depends how you define being rich, but I certainly feel rich in life and experience.”
Sport as a Modern Religion
While Perry is not religious in the conventional sense, she acknowledges the parallels between sport and religion in terms of community and belonging. “I think so, but I’m uncomfortable overestimating the importance of sport. In reality, it’s a game,” she muses. Yet, she describes transcendent moments in sport akin to the “flow” state, where everything falls into harmony.
Experts often refer to this state as an “altered state,” where athletes perform instinctively without conscious thought. “One hundred per cent,” Perry agrees. “Those moments are quite transcendent. It becomes less about the actual game and more about this amazing interaction with everything around you.”
Guiding Principles
In terms of guiding principles, Perry emphasizes the importance of perspective. “It’s really easy to overestimate your importance as an athlete. So for me, it’s about keeping perspective,” she advises. “To win or lose with graciousness is so important because sport has a funny way of levelling things out over a long period of time.”
Physical and Mental Resilience
Throughout her career, Perry has been fortunate to avoid serious injuries, experiencing only a few setbacks that required surgery. “Understanding how resilient the body is and how capable it is of bouncing back, is really cool in itself,” she notes.
Maintaining mental health is equally crucial, and for Perry, staying active and outdoors plays a significant role. “It can be easy to define yourself in terms of outcomes of matches, or how you’ve gone on a particular day. But, in reality, sport’s just something you do: it’s not who you are,” she reflects.
Future Aspirations
As Perry contemplates life beyond cricket, she dreams of a cross-country trip to explore more of Australia. “I’ve had this fantasy for a while, where I pack up my car and do a trip across Australia when I finish playing,” she reveals. However, beyond that, her plans remain open-ended.
Ellyse Perry’s journey from a young backyard athlete to a celebrated international sports star is a testament to her passion and dedication. Her story continues to inspire, highlighting the evolving opportunities in women’s sports and the importance of maintaining perspective amid success.
