Few athletes are able to reach the highest level in more than one sport, as Usain Bolt’s attempts to play professional football have shown.
Courtney Hill’s ability to excel at both cricket and rugby league is pretty remarkable and coincidentally, she and cricket-turned-tennis star Ashleigh Barty used to be teammates.
The 32-year-old Queenslander left her native Australia, where she had played in the Big Bash for Brisbane Heat, for the United Kingdom, and in turn swapped the cricket ball for the rugby one.
Her first season went like a dream. She won a Challenge Cup and reached a Grand Final with Leeds in 2018, and with injured regular skipper Lois Forsell out for this season, she has taken on the captaincy.
“I came from a sport like cricket where captaincy is a new level,” Hill said.
“You make a lot of very major decisions playing cricket, so when I was asked to do this, I don’t think the captaincy asks that much more of you.
“You run out first in the tunnel, but as a half-back regardless you need to show some leadership and game management. I’m learning a lot about leadership.”
Hill has not totally given up cricket, as she works as a coach to nurture others on the course of sport.
“I love the game, it’s given me a lot so now I’m just trying to give a bit back on the other side of the boundary ropes,” she continued.
“I’m trying to keep my cricket up. I really enjoy the opportunity to coach and that’s another sport that’s exciting to be a part of.
“It’s an exciting time for all women’s sport across the board. Football after the World Cup is picking up a wonderful momentum, cricket’s doing a great job and hopefully rugby league jumps on the back too.”
