At just 21 years old, Alyssa is already a powerhouse in Newcastle’s cricket community. Whether it’s umpiring a junior girls’ match, coordinating a Woolworths Cricket Blast session, captaining her women’s team, or representing her club in advisory group meetings, Alyssa is doing far more than just playing the game—she’s shaping its future.
She is also Cricket NSW’s 2025 Young Leader of the Year!
From her early days in Milo Cricket to captaining Newcastle City Cricket Club’s Division 2 Women’s team, Alyssa’s journey through the sport has been marked by leadership, mentorship, and a drive to make cricket accessible to all. Her roles span from women’s coordinator and Cricket Blast coordinator to junior umpire, coach, and club administrator. She’s the club’s go-to figure in the women’s cricket space — strategizing competition structures with the Newcastle District Cricket Association (NDCA) while checking in on team morale via WhatsApp.
Her impact has been particularly felt in the growth of the club’s Cricket Blast program, which grew from eight to 50 participants in just three years under her guidance. Alyssa has built a team of teenage coaches, mentoring them in planning, delivery, and leadership. Her ability to stay calm under pressure and create structure has given young coaches a strong role model to follow
“I never had a young female umpire or mentor growing up,” Alyssa says.
“So, I wanted to be that person for the next generation—to show girls what’s possible in cricket, whether or not they play at the top level.”
That drive to mentor extends well beyond the boundary. In the past, as the only female umpire in the Newcastle Junior Cricket Association (NJCA), Alyssa made it a point to request assignments to junior girls’ games. Her presence reassured young players and parents alike, helping new cricketers find comfort and confidence in the sport. Her leadership was recognized when she was asked to lead on-the-ground coordination for NJCA’s Under 11s state carnival.
Alyssa’s commitment also extends into community development. Currently studying Development Studies and Social Science at university, she’s already put theory into practice—conducting cricket clinics for First Nations children in the Northern Territory and crafting a Reconciliation Action Plan at her part-time workplace.
Meanwhile, through cricket, Alyssa is changing the game—making it more inclusive, welcoming, and inspiring for the next generation of players and leaders.