Christina Matthews has played 20 Test matches for Australia. Still our most capped female player, she also holds the record for the most dismissals by an Australian wicket keeper.
But two decades on from her playing career, it’s a different kind of record she’s now creating that’s seriously changing the face of cricket in Australia. Leadership.
Matthews is CEO of the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA), making her Australia’s most senior female cricket administrator – and one who’s breaking new ground on attendance, participation and sponsorship.
Since being appointed to the role in late 2011, she’s overseen a 42% increase in cricket participation in the past 12 months alone, led the organisation to receiving record sponsorship levels, and been credited with driving new strategies for managing costs and creating new partnerships to help promote and protect the sport.
She simply counts ‘life’ when asked about her leadership qualifications, having spent decades involved in the game.
While she’s served in a variety of cricket-related positions, she says two particular appointments gave her opportunities in management that ultimately put her on track to becoming a CEO.
“Firstly I was appointed GM Commercial Operations and Communications at Cricket NSW, and then I become a selector for the Australian Women’s Team that led to the position of Chair of that panel,” she says.
“Both of these positions put me in charge of managing people’s performance and I felt a strong responsibility to do that in a way that enhanced their skills and experience.”
Christina Matthews is a finalist in the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.
The short facts on Christina’s story.
Born. Melbourne
Childhood? Nunawading and Glen Waverley in Victoria
Leadership qualifications? Life
High school career ambition? Changed weekly, but I knew I wanted to have an impact on something, particularly in sport
And your first, ever job? Worked part time in a milk bar, but my first full tIme job was secretary in the Science Faculty at Melbourne University
Who and what do you lead? I’m the CEO of Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), the governing body for cricket in WA
How do you stay informed on a daily basis? I read quite a bit of news both newspapers and online, and I read books about leadership
And manage your wellbeing? Mainly exercise and ensuring I have quiet time at home
First thing you do in the morning? Go to the toilet!?
Can you describe an average work day for you? Everyday is different but it is fair to say whether I am in the office or not I am always working
What’s your leadership ‘superpower’? My ability to create relationships, collaborate and engage with people
What do you believe needs to change in order to better support women at work – particularly in your industry? Actively seeking to have more women in senior roles to provide role models for women in the sports industry
What would you tell your 18-year-old self? Don’t worry, it will all be fine and be patient