Alyssa is a total legend of a cricketer who just played a key role in leading the Australian national women’s team to victory against England in the ICC Women’s World Cup final, rewriting the record books as she did so. She set a new record for the highest individual innings in any World Cup final (women’s or men’s), scoring 170 runs off 138 balls, including 26 boundaries. It’s not the first time she’s made history, either: in 2006, she became the first girl to play among boys in the private schools’ competition in New South Wales, and she’s been making waves and breaking records ever since. Long may her reign continue!
HELLO THERE 15-YEAR-OLD ALYSSA,
It’s me – slightly older and a little more wrinkled Alyssa! You’re probably sitting there nervous about the new schooling adventure you’re about to embark on. Wondering where you might fit in, if you’re going to like your teachers and what sort of new friends you are going to make. Don’t worry little buddy – you’ll love every minute of it!
As I sit here and wonder what sort of words of advice or pearls of wisdom I can give you, I simply think that all I really need to say is – enjoy and embrace the challenges and cherish the memories you create.
I wish I could sit here and say the next 16 years are going to be easy, you’re going to breeze through them and succeed at everything you do… The reality is, you will not. But you know what? I’m so glad that everything doesn’t go your way. The ups and downs of your life so far and those about to come will mould you into a human who I’m incredibly proud to be today.
I know you might feel a little bit different; you don’t wear makeup; you don’t have long nails decorated with brightly coloured nail polish and you most definitely do not wear dresses. But you know what? That’s completely fine! What you prioritise the most is your sport. Continue to dive in and play every sport you can, make new friends and visit new places on your sporting journeys. Sport is what is going to help shape you into an incredibly resilient, competitive, yet kind and compassionate person. It’s going to test you mentally and physically but what you’re going to achieve at the end of it all is pretty remarkable.
One of the biggest hurdles you’re going to have to overcome in the next little bit is yourself. Don’t wait too long to believe in yourself and what you can achieve. Back yourself, back your ability, and don’t let the best part of your career pass you by before you become a confident person who believes they belong and can contribute. The world is your oyster if you believe in yourself and continue to push not just your boundaries but those around you as well.
Leave a positive legacy wherever you may go and remember that kindness is our greatest ally. Be kind and caring of others even when they do you wrong! Cherish your friends and family! As you begin your journey into elite sport, cherish your friends and the normality they bring to your life. Your life is going to be anything but normal, but your friends are amazing and support you through the good and bad times, and the fact that they live completely different lives to you gives you an enormous amount of perspective that should never be lost. Thank them regularly and ensure that you make time to spend time with them.
Lastly and most importantly – have fun! Make sure you enjoy yourself, cherish the special memories that you create along your journeys and never leave a laugh inside, let them all out. Laughter and smiles are as contagious as a yawn, so the more you smile the more those around you will join in – and what an amazing place this world would be if we smiled and laughed more together, so challenge yourself to make that happen!
Good luck and enjoy the rollercoaster ride ahead!
ALYSSA XX
