Looking for a sporting role model for your child?
Look no further than 21 year old Ellyse Perry who may well be Australia's best athlete - male or female.
She is a very rare 'dual international', playing regularly for Australia in cricket and football (soccer) and has played in World Cups in both sports. She was most recently seen five days ago holding aloft the trophy as one of the world championship winning 'Southern Stars' - the T-20 women's cricket championship.
As a cricketer, she is a striker bowler who can also bat a bit; and in football, she generally plays at fullback.
Ellyse is now back in Sydney training with her team mates at Sydney FC in preparation for the new W-League season which kicks-off next weekend.
She described the T-20 Final, which came down to the last ball, as "a bit nerve-wracking" but also believes it's harder for spectators than those in the middle of the pitch.
Earlier this year, Ellyse's contract with her former W-League club side, Canberra United, was not renewed as they demanded she be in Canberra for training during the season. The CEO of Canberra United, Heather Reid, told a conference in Melbourne this week that "Ellyse isn't our best player" and the club expected players to live in Canberra for the pre-season period as well as the season so they can meet their training, media and promotional commitments. Only last year, Ellyse was part of the Matildas squad at the Women's Football World Cup in Germany and scored Australia's only goal in the 3-1 loss to Sweden.
Ellyse is a Cricket Australia ambassador, has a weekly radio slot on Triple J, and is studying Economics and Social Science at Sydney University.
She can be seen in action over the summer with both Sydney FC and NSW Breakers cricket team.
Further information
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