Emma Rippon - Penrith Cricket Club
Penrith Cricket Club | April 29, 2026
What year were you born?
2008
Tell us about your cricket journey.
My journey started one lunchtime at primary school when I was about 10 years old. The school cricket team trials were on, and all my friends were trying out. Unfortunately, I didn’t get in the first year, but fast forward to the second year, I got in and ended up going to the Western trials later in the term. I was an extremely shy kid and all my friends had bailed, so I was upset. On top of that I ended up stacking it on the asphalt cricket pitch, leaving my knees and hands scratched. It was only about 20 minutes into the trials, and I already wanted to go home. I toughed it out and stayed at the trials. Rocking my bandages and feeling the sharp sting of antiseptic cream, it was time for a game situation. I was out in the field standing at square leg when there was a ball hit right at me. I’m not sure if it was the amount of bandages on my hands, but I caught it. Long story short, I was picked for the team and played in my first carnival. The season after I started playing in the under-10s for Forbes Junior Cricket and was taken with the game. I’m now going on to play my third season with Penrith in NSW Women’s Premier Cricket.
Brought to you by Kingsgrove Sports
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’m an opening batter, and I also bowl the occasional off-spin. As a batter I would say my strength is my technical soundness. It has allowed me to expand on my game, while also holding me in good stead when faced with a challenge. My bowling is something I’ve had to work hard on, but I enjoy testing myself against good players.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Playing cricket is just fun in general and helps me stay fit, but it’s the people I’ve met through the game that keeps me coming back. The individuals I’ve met along the way have taught me many things, not only about cricket, but life in general.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
Playing in the 2025 Bali Bash tournament. It was an eye-opener to see how the other teams played with such determination and hunger, never giving up no matter what the course of the match was looking like. It was a great learning experience for me and an overall memorable trip.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
My favorite cricketer is Mark Waugh. He was a part of the dominant Australian team in the 1990s and the early 2000s. He is often described as having ‘lazy elegance’, making high scoring batting look entirely effortless. Alongside his batting, Waugh was widely considered one of the greatest slip fielders the game has ever seen. He made fast reflex catches look easy and held the record for the most Test catches by a non-wicket keeper at the time of his retirement. I admire Mark not only because of his achievements in the game, but also his laidback and composed attitude, which made him a humble yet competitive player.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
Brock Barry is the fastest bowler I’ve faced. He’s a left arm quick who was playing for the Bushrangers in the Bathurst Presidents Cup tournament at the time.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Mayher Singh. Mayher’s leg spin deceives batters with flight and turn. Her variation is among the most difficult to face in my opinion, as her wrong’un is almost impossible to pick.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Annabel Batty’s 115* off 72 deliveries against Parramatta at Merrylands Oval in the 2025-2026 season was an absolute master class in dominant yet patient batting. Her innings included 17 fours and 1 six, meaning 74 of her runs came purely from boundaries.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
Lucy Mellis. Her quick footwork and attention to the game makes her one of the best wicket keepers I’ve been able to play with.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
Japleen Kaur is a dominant, technically sound batter at Penrith, who plays a significant role in every team she is a part of. She brings determination and a cheerful energy that is very valuable in a team environment.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Karly Woods is someone I admire not only because of her cricketing abilities, but also her competitiveness. She’s able to lift a team no matter what the situation. Her energy is contagious and brings an enormous advantage to any team or club she is in.
Shree Swarup is another person I admire at Penrith. I’ve been fortunate enough to play quite a lot of cricket with Shree, and over the few seasons I’ve played alongside her, she never fails to inspire me. Her dedication and drive to succeed in whatever she's doing is something that I admire, and I imagine a lot of others do too. Despite her steely determination, Shree is one of
the most approachable players at the club. She’s very easy to talk to and an interesting person to know as her optimistic mindset towards the game and everyday life is very inspiring.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
Humility and emotional intelligence. These attributes combined allow for learning and growth for not only the leader, but also for the benefit of the team.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC and The Rolling Stones would have been great to see in their prime years back in the 70s.
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
Khancoban NSW is one of my favourite locations solely based on the childhood memories I’ve had there and the picturesque mountain landscape.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
My dad and Ron ‘Tiger’ Woods. These two people have had a significant and positive impact on my career. My dad has always been there to support and help me with my game, which I’m very grateful for considering we live so far from everyone and everything. He’s the one that drives the 900 km round trip every weekend just to take me to cricket. I’m very lucky to have him.
I met Tiger after attending a trial for my first Sydney Premier Cricket team. His strict and fast style of coaching was something I’d never seen before, but I enjoyed being challenged. Throughout my journey playing cricket I’ve faced setbacks that have affected my confidence and mental health, and after falling out of love with the game, I was on the verge of giving it away for good. Tiger has been the main reason I’m still playing cricket. Because of his encouragement and effort, I’m still enjoying the game and all that it brings.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
My music.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Curtis McGrath. He’s a Paralympian and one of the most inspirational and resilient figures in Australian sport. Before McGrath’s success in the Paralympics, he was an Army Combat Engineer. In 2012 whilst serving in Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED, which cost him both of his legs. Despite being in complete shock and excruciating pain, he stayed conscious and calmly guided his fellow soldiers through the medical process that saved his own life. McGrath made his Paralympic debut at the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio, where he won his first gold medal in the Men’s KL2 (kayak) 200m. Apart from fame and his incredible achievements, McGrath remains humble and focused on helping others. He spends a massive amount of time as a board director and mentor guiding the next generation of adaptive athletes. His drive for success, resilience and mental toughness makes him an inspiration and someone I would love to meet.
Forrest Gump. Although Forrest is a fictional character, he’s still someone I would want to meet. His honesty, non-judgmental attitude and simple perspective on life is something I’ve admired ever since watching the movie. His character is a reminder to me to focus on the good in people and to treat others with kindness.
Eddie Van Halen. Eddie was the co-founder of the legendary rock band Van Halen and considered one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Eddie’s creativity and innovation set him apart from many of the other guitarists of his era. His passion for music and reputation for being a genuine human being is something I find interesting and admirable.
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Outside of cricket I enjoy staying active. Golf, tennis, running and swimming are among my favorite activities in the off season, although I’m open to anything that involves moving my body. I’m also quite the grandma when it comes to hobbies – I knit crochet, sew and read a lot, which also keeps me entertained in the long car rides to and from cricket.
If working, what do you do outside of cricket?
At the moment I’m working part time at the Tullamore truck stop where we have the best bacon & egg rolls! After I finish school I’m hoping to start a rural traineeship on a Merino stud.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore’ – Christopher Columbus
What are your goals for the next season?
Next season I strive to gain more consistency in my performances and overall just keep improving my game.
Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
If I ever had the opportunity to play first class cricket, it would mean the absolute world to me and many other people in my life that have helped me along my cricketing journey, such as Tiger, my dad and AMGO Sports.
