Ashleigh Gardner - Elite Athlete, Elite Human.
Ashleigh Gardner is an ELITE ATHLETE. A proud Muruwari Woman, she is the first Indigenous Australian woman to play an International World Cup, yet she hopes one day there won’t be a need to define her that way when representation transcends. We have chats about her mindset, her motivation, her journey to get here, the challenges she has faced, the politics and psychology surrounding women in sport and the scrutiny and pressures from the media, socials and community in “flag bearing”. She has the ability to be honest in identifying her shortcomings and her need for an attitude adjustment when she was younger as a result of having crazy natural talent as a cricketer and not having to "work hard". It cannot be denied that she is a trailblazer and a leader in every way. She states: “When sport in Australia is a massive part of our culture, people (no matter whether you like it or not) will always will look up to you and you’ve always got to be setting a good example whether you are on the cricket field or not - and that’s something I really enjoy that we’re able to do now as elite athletes - inspiring kids who see us as their role model”. You bloody legend, Ash!