Chasing Dreams and Balancing It All

Year 12 student Lilli Hamilton is a  star on the rise, making a name for herself in the cricket world. 

From debuting for Australia to making waves in the T20 Spring Bash, and even playing for the Queensland Fire, her journey so far has been nothing short of inspiring. We caught up with Lilli to chat about her journey, juggling school and sport, and what lies ahead.

When asked about the standout  moments of her whirlwind summer, Lilli shared that it was hard to pick just one. 'It’s been a fantastic summer of cricket,' she says. 'For me, the highlights are shared between the T20 Spring Bash and my debut for the Queensland Fire. As a female player, traveling interstate and playing a sport you love is such an amazing experience. Both opportunities really helped me grow as both a person and a cricketer.'

For Lilli, cricket wasn’t just a hobby—it was in the family. 'My dad  used to play cricket when he was at school, so I suppose it was always in my family,' she explains. 'When I was 6, he saw how much I loved being outside and noticed I was fairly coordinated. He threw me a ball, and that was pretty much it—cricket has been a part of my life ever since.'

From the age of 7, Lilli has been playing for both club teams and  representative teams, and it’s clear that those early days set her on a path for success. With all the travel, games, and training sessions, managing school and cricket at such a high level is a challenge, but Lilli has learned to make it work. 

'It’s definitely a juggle at times,' she admits. 'Luckily, most of the cricket season coincides with the summer holidays, so it’s a little easier. I make sure to stay really focused when I am at school and try not to let my homework and assignments pile up. When I do miss school for cricket, it can get pretty stressful, but I’m really lucky to have supportive teachers who help me catch up.'

So, what does a typical week of training look like for Lilli? Well,  it varies a lot depending on her commitments. 'Usually, I train with my club on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Brisbane, and we play a club game on Sundays. If I have representative duties, I might train on Monday or Wednesday as well. I also sometimes fit in a personal training session on Saturdays, but it all depends on the week and the competition I’m involved in.'

Given the demands of both her  academic life and cricket career, we asked Lilli for some tips on managing it all. Her advice? 'Don’t procrastinate. Get your work done whenever you can find the time. Also, make sure to dedicate time for yourself and don’t let school or sports consume you.'

As for what’s next in the world  of cricket, Lilli has some exciting events on the horizon. 'We’re vying for club finals at the moment, which is really exciting,' she says. 'The Queensland Fire also has a home grand final coming up, and if I get the chance to play in that, it will be pretty cool.'

Looking further ahead, she has her sights set on a few key goals.  'Obviously, I want to do my best in my final year of school and keep managing cricket as well,' she shares. 'I’m not super goal oriented, though. I like to take each day as it comes and stay in the present, rather than get too far ahead of myself.'

'I would love to pursue cricket professionally after school. But  if that doesn’t work out, I’d like to go to university and work in business or politics after I graduate.'

And now, with her final year of school on the horizon, she’s  feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. 'I’m a little nervous because Year 12 can be a pretty stressful time,' she says. 'But I’m also looking forward to embracing the challenges, and I’m excited to finish. I really want to enjoy the last moments of being at school, spending time with my friends, and soaking in all those last little moments at Fairholme.'

No matter where cricket or life takes Lilli, one thing is  certain—she is ready to take on whatever comes next. With her combination of talent, determination, and a grounded perspective on life, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the future.