Remembering Lily Poulett-Harris As The Founder of Women’s Organised Cricket in Tasmania

Late last year, Cricket Tasmania funded the installation of a memorial sign alongside Lily Poulett-Harris’ grave at Cornelian Bay Cemetery. Lily’s family gave permission for the signage and were grateful that her contribution was recognised in this way. 

The memorial sign recognises the impact Lily had on women’s cricket in Tasmania as the founder of the first organised women’s cricket league in 1894, through the establishment of the Oyster Cove Ladies’ Cricket Club. Lily grew up in Woodbridge surrounded by a strong love of cricket and was encouraged by her family to pursue the sport. Her brother, Vere Harris, was a first-class cricketer who represented both Tasmania and Western Australia. 

“Her brother’s sporting achievements would have no doubt motivated Lily to look for ways to play competitive cricket, traditionally a male domain, and to fearlessly step into unchartered territory to make it happen”

- On the Front Foot: The Rise of Tasmanian Women’s Cricket, page 4

The Oyster Cove Ladies’ Cricket Club played its first match against North Bruny on Saturday, 6 January 1894. The competition quickly expanded over the following year, leading to more teams forming and helping women’s cricket grow across the state in the years that followed.

 “Lily was a trailblazer of women’s cricket and sport generally. In starting the first women’s cricket league in Tasmania, Lily created an opportunity for women to play cricket regularly and competitively rather than just in a social or novelty setting. It helped women define themselves in a new way and showcase their skills and participate in a sport that had only been accessible to men. The memorial sign celebrates the story of Lily’s contribution and her legacy to Australian women’s cricket. Her passion and determination, shared by many pioneering cricketers, paved the way for the growth and success of women’s cricket that we see today”

 - Jacqui Triffitt

Lily’s life was tragically cut short when she passed away in Hobart at the age of 23 due to tuberculosis. The memorial sign includes a fitting description about how Lily approached life, published in The Mercury following her death in 1897: Fear it is said, was a thing unknown to her.

Photo of Lily Poulett-Harris credit: Tasmanian State Archives

Beyond her cricketing achievements, Lily was a teacher and known for supporting her local community by decorating the Woodbridge Church and providing musical accompaniment on match days. It is fascinating to consider what someone like Lily might think about the WBBL and attending a Tigers match today. Jacqui Trffitt, past player and author of On the Front Foot: The Rise of Tasmanian Women’s Cricket thinks:

“Lily would be amazed at the progression and proud of the success of our Tasmanian teams. I imagine that she would also be very pleased that the playing kit had changed from long dresses”.

None of us can truly imagine how brave a step Lily took back in 1894, as she stepped into a space reserved only for men, but we can all thank her for the role she played in shaping what women’s cricket in Tasmania looks like today.

If you would like to learn more about Lily Poulett-Harris' story, or the history of women’s cricket in Tasmania, you can pick up a copy of Jacqui Triffitt’s On the Front Foot: The Rise of Tasmanian Women’s Cricket. It is available at locally owned Tasmanian bookstores, and at the Customer Hub at Ninja Stadium.