Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell is a change agent and disruptor of Australian sport. A professional cricketer who has played more matches for Australia than any other female cricketer in history, she captained the Australian Women’s Team to World Twenty20 glory in 2010 and reclaimed the Ashes against England in 2011.

Drawing on her experience, Alex inspires audiences to reach and sustain success through innovation, adaptability, taking calculated risks and leadership. She talks her decision to pursue cricket over and above a career in medicine, choosing to become a leader, teaching others and learning to do things differently.

Alex has captained of one of the most successful sporting teams in Australia, the Lend Lease NSW Breakers. In January 2015 the Breakers won their 10th consecutive Women’s National Cricket League title.

She is one of only two players to feature in all 10 consecutive wins and she was captain in the last five. In January 2016 Alex captained the Sydney Thunder to victory in the groundbreaking inaugural Women’s Big Bash League and she will lead the Thunder again in WBBL02.

Alex has successfully combined elite sport with academic pursuits. She studied medicine at the University of New South Wales from 2002 to 2005 before making a difficult decision to leave the course to pursue her cricketing dreams. Alex changed her career direction to become a genetic counsellor, working for three years in prenatal screening before becoming a full time professional cricketer in October of 2014.

Well into her international cricket career, Alex remains at the top of her game. She has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and innovation as a cricketer and leader, in order to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of women’s sport.

Alex came out as a gay athlete in 2012 and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within sport with a particular focus on gender equality and the inclusion of LGBTI people. In 2015 she proudly led the Mardi Gras parade alongside other out athletes Daniel Kowalski, Jai Wallace and Matthew Mitchem.

Alex Blackwell talks about:

• Key factors for long term success in elite sport
• Experiences travelling the world representing
• Australia in cricket
• Balancing elite sport with career
• Leadership
• Building strong team culture
• Personal resilience
• Gender equality and LGBTI inclusion in sport