20 December 2023
The motto, “I can because I think I can”, that secured an NRMA Insurance grant to help local women’s cricket in Launceston.
Women have been an important part of the Launceston Cricket Club since 1841. An NRMA Insurance community cricket club grant will help the club reach its aim of achieving the top level in the Launceston cricket league and further support women’s cricket in the region.
The history of Launceston Cricket Club on Iutruwita Country goes back more than one hundred and thirty years. It had nurtured and grown men’s cricket since the Club began in Launceston in 1841, making it one of the oldest cricket clubs in Tasmania and an integral the history of the Launceston community. Women have also played an important part in the Club ever since the women’s cricket teams were founded in the 1890s. Back then they played in cream flannel blouses and long dark skirts, with cerise and black colours worn as ties around their necks and ribbons on their hats, daring Australia to notice them with their motto, "I can because I think I can". The Club is now a rich tapestry of history and progress, a significant part of Australia’s sporting heritage.
Canteen manager, Louise Joyce is one of many Club members who understand the importance of the grant that will help the Club to continue to build women’s cricket in Australia. Lou has been a member for “longer than anyone can remember,” says club president, Lawrence Dodson. Lou joined the club when she came down to help her own mother, who was running the canteen at the time. She has followed in her mum’s footsteps ever since. Lou is a lifetime member, along with her brother, who is former president, as well as their parents before them, forming part of the backbone of the Club and its community with their help.
Lou is in awe of the determination and commitment of the Club’s women players.
Our women players are an inspiration to be honest. I couldn't play cricket, but to watch these girls get out there and play I think it's fantastic,
"They should really be proud of themselves and we're all really proud of them."
Lou is considered to be a lynchpin of the Club, but the Club has also been drawing people into its fold across generations itself. It is now a social hub as well as a sports centre, a place where the community comes together, grows and develops; where competition gives birth to friendships and ideas are shared.
"The club is fantastic, with the history of my family and other families that have been in the club,” Lou enthuses. “We've all tended to hang around for 20-30 years and I think that is what has created the Club’s family vibe; that we all share the love of the game and friendship."
Women like Lou have been an important part of the Launceston Cricket Club, on and off the field,” adds Launceston Cricket Club president, Lawrence Dodson. “We certainly wouldn’t be what we are without them.
The NRMA Insurance grant has been used to help the club grow, support its women’s teams and fund a new digital scoreboard. As an enduring reminder of the significance of the grant, the new scoreboard will not replace the existing one but will live alongside it, acknowledging what has come before and what is yet to come. The heritage-listed scoreboard has watched over generations of teams for nearly eighty years. It also saw the first women cricket players take the field in their long skirts. Now it watches them play in the Club’s bold green and red colours.
"Thanks to NRMA Insurance, we're keeping these traditions and memories alive, just like Mum would have wanted," Lou adds.
As Proud Helpers of Australian Cricket, NRMA Insurance are even prouder to see their grant support communities like this across Australia.
