Interview: Ellyse Perry on managing cricket and football, her heroes and the possibility of an IPL for women

Ellyse Perry during an Australian women’s cricket training session

When you talk about women in a team sport, Ellyse Perry is likely to be one of the first names you’d think of. Perry has excelled at the international level at both cricket and football, which is an astounding feat for any sportsperson.

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing the 23-year-old Australian star. Excerpts:

Hi Ellyse, could you start off by telling us on how you caught on to both cricket and football during your childhood?

My family has always valued physical activity and exercise, and I spent a large part of my childhood playing outdoors and trying all different types of sports with my family and friends. Cricket and football were two of the sports that I just naturally had an affinity with and so I joined my local club teams and it went from there.

Who were your cricketing heroes whilst growing up?

I absolutely loved watching the Australian teams play (men and women) when I was growing up, and we were so fortunate to have such a wonderful era of truly incredible players – some of my favourites were Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton. Michael Hussey is someone I have truly admired as well – the way he approaches playing cricket and the energy, enthusiasm and determination he plays with is something I very much admire about him.

Which do you feel has been the biggest highlight of your sporting career so far?

I certainly feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to represent my country in two sports that I truly love. To have been able to do that, and have so many wonderful experiences associated with that has been a true highlight.

Which of these cricketing moments did you cherish the most – the Ashes win in 2011, the World T20 triumph or the 50 over World Cup success bowling with a broken foot?

All have been special and unique moments in my career, and I’m not sure if I’m able to distinguish between them. I’ve certainly cherished being apart of a team that has continued to evolve and get better with each tour we’ve been a part of.

You were stupendous in the recent concluded Women’s Ashes, nearly making it almost a one-woman show for Australia. Do you feel let down by your teammates’ performance?

Not at all, I think that would be an incredibly ignorant attitude to have towards the outcome of the series. We have had some wonderful battles with England over the last few years and the rivalry between the two teams is one of the strongest in the world. Every game we played on the recent tour was so competitive and close and it was certainly disappointing that we weren’t quite able win the crucial moments, but I think the fact that it is always such a tussle between the two teams is what makes an Ashes Series so special. There are certainly moments throughout the series where we feel as a team we could have done things better and I also feel that personally about my own game, but that’s part of the challenge of playing international cricket and we are certainly looking forward to the next opportunity to play them.

There are a lot of men’s T20 leagues like the IPL, the Big Bash, etc which have been very successful recently. Do you think there is a need for a similar league for women?

I think a similar T20 league for women is a very realistic possibility and I know there is a number of associations and different stakeholders working quite hard to get something up and running. I think it will be another great opportunity to continue to develop women’s cricket when it does happen.

How successful do you think a women’s version of the IPL or the Big Bash would be?

Very successful, especially if a number of international players are involved – I think it would make it the most pre-eminent women’s cricket competition in the world.

What do you think of Brandish’s song about you? You must feel overawed by the words “Jacques Kallis and Pele morphed into a girl”?

Haha, I’m not too sure. It was very lovely of Brandish to write a song about me and they seem like a really great bunch of guys with plenty of musical talent.

Ellyse Perry (L) celebrates her goal against Sweden at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011

What is the biggest challenge you face in juggling domestic commitments for both NSW Breakers and Sydney FC sports during this time of the year?

I really enjoy our domestic seasons here in Australia. Summer is such a great time of year to be playing sport and it’s been wonderful to have been involved in both the W-League and the WNCL. In terms of challenges, obviously working out the schedules can sometimes be a little tricky, but I have some wonderful support from both teams I’m involved in which makes my job the easiest – which is to just play.

Do you have a different training regime compared to other cricketers and footballers you play with?

I don’t think mine is too different, other than the fact that I train for both sports, but most of it is done in a team environment so I am doing the same things as my team mates.

With 18 games played in the A-League until now, Sydney FC are 7th with 22 points. Where do you see your male counterparts finishing this season?

I’m not too sure, the A-League has been quite hard to predict this year, but I think Sydney FC still have a great opportunity to make the finals.

How special is it to have Alessandro del Piero at Sydney FC?

Alessandro has been tremendous for the football club and is always so willing to take time to promote the team and meet fans. He’s such a fantastic asset for the club and the A-League.

Who are your favourite Australian and non-Australian footballers?

Mark Schwarzer and Lionel Messi.

Did you play any other sport at school level, apart from cricket and football?

I played lots – touch football, athletics, basketball, swimming, hockey, softball.

How tough is it to maintain competitiveness at both cricket and football?

I really love what I do, and sport is such a huge part of my life. I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am, where I wake up every day excited about what I’m doing.

Have you ever felt the burden to be too much to take at any time? Were there any physical breakdowns you were able to overcome?

I have some truly wonderful support from so many people, and my family and friends especially. I feel like I have a really balanced life away from sport, with plenty of other interests and hobbies which means sport has never become all consuming for me.

Has there ever been a time when your commitments have clashed against each other? If yes, then how has your reconciled the same?

Sometimes the schedules do clash, and it’s just a matter of sitting down with everyone involved and mapping out the best way to do things.

How long do you think you can handle both cricket and football and given a choice somewhere down the line, which sport would you choose?

I’m really not sure, at the moment it’s something that I truly love doing, and I have such wonderful support. For as long as that is the case than I’d love to continue. I haven’t thought too far down the track to what might happen in the future.

Why do you think more sportspersons are not able to handle playing two sports on an international level?

That’s a good question – I think there a different factors that are probably unique to each individual athlete. Also in a lot of sports I don’t think it is possible any more with the professionalism that has occurred in the last decade or so.