“I was looking back at a PowerPoint I made in Year 4, and in it I said I wanted to play cricket and soccer for Australia. When I saw that, I started tearing up... It’s just so incredible to think I’m doing it now!”

These are the words of Caoimhe Bray, a Year 10 student at Trinity Catholic College, a normal teenager, who happens to also be making a significant mark on both the cricket and soccer world stages.

Her most recent accolades include making history as the youngest player to debut for the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and delivering a standout performance while representing Australia in the ICC Under-19 T20 World Cup.

Despite all of her successes, she balances elite level soccer and cricket along with school life and an undeniable aura of humility. Minutes in her presence shows she is poised for a future as bright as it is extraordinary.

“I feel like I'm still in the under eighteens playing Brewers down in Sydney. Making bigger teams is obviously a cool opportunity, but I still think of myself as just a 15-year-old girl that goes to school, has friends, and just plays sport on the other side of it,” Caoimhe said.

Growing up in Denman, Caoimhe, like many other country kids, eagerly joined community sports and school teams. Former St Joseph’s Primary School principal, Aaron Moon, fondly recalls reaching out to Caoimhe’s mother after noticing a shortage of girls on the town's Under 10's cricket team.

“We only had one girl on the team, and we needed more. Caoimhe was always full of energy and loved being active, so I called her mum and said, ‘Hey, how about Caoimhe plays cricket? We could really use more girls on the team.’”

Within just a few months, at only eight years old, Caoimhe was already outplaying the boys. It was evident she had natural talent, however Caoimhe believes it was her mindset that truly made soccer and cricket stick.

“I’m the type of person who, once I start something, I don’t stop. I keep pushing forward, no matter what,” she said.

“I did all my community-level cricket and soccer in Denman and Muswellbrook. It’s where I started, and the community have always been big supporters of me. When I played in the WBBL, about 50 of them came down to watch which was really sweet.”

After years of commuting with her mother between Denman and Newcastle for training, Caoimhe’s family made the decision to move to Newcastle last year. The move not only offered her new opportunities but also led her to Trinity Catholic College, where the school has backed her the entire way.

“They really understand my commitments and are so supportive of my sport,” she said.

“Even when I miss school for games or training, they’re always encouraging me and making sure I’m keeping up.

“It’s such a warm, welcoming school, and I really feel at home here.”

Though she’s only been a part of the Trinity community for a year, it’s clear that Caoimhe’s joyful, positive, and humble nature has already made a lasting impact on those around her.

Trinity Catholic College Sports Coordinator David Pitfield said Caoimhe’s dedication to school sports has been nothing short of remarkable.

“Last year, she represented our school in AFL, Athletics, Basketball, Football, Oz-Tag, Rugby League, and Touch. Her passion, positive attitude, and sportsmanship have inspired her teammates and lifted their spirits. She is an incredible role model,” David said.

Principal Robert Emery said the school is incredibly proud to celebrate Caoimhe.

“She has shown exceptional skill and dedication on the field, but she also embraces the values of teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Her kind and uplifting attitude has had a profound and positive impact on our whole school community,” Robert said.

The past couple of months have been a whirlwind for Caoimhe, with ‘loads of cricket and just a little less soccer.’

Having only recently returned from Malaysia, she’s soaking up the chance to relax with her family and dog, catch up on schoolwork and strum a few tunes on her guitar.

Being in the spotlight at such a young age certainly comes with its pressures, but Caoimhe handles it with a level of maturity well beyond her years.

“I feel more pressure when playing against people my own age, but even in the WBBL and open age groups, I still get nervous.

“It’s all about taking it one game, one training session at a time. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again,” she said.

Looking ahead, Caoimhe is laser focused on what’s to come.

“Over the next five years, I just want to continue performing. I’d like to get into Australia A for cricket and the Under 20's Matildas for soccer.”

“In 10 years, I’ll be 25, so I’ll probably have chosen one sport by then. My goal is to be part of the senior side—either the Australian Women’s Cricket Team or the Matildas soccer team.”

Whilst sport is her passion, Caoimhe is also thinking about what life after sport might look like for her.

“I love the idea of commentating. I see a lot of cricketers doing it, even while they’re still playing. It’d be a fantastic way to stay connected to the game.”

“I have these big plans; but at the same time, I want to make sure I always continue enjoying the ‘now’,” said Caoimhe.

“I’m just trying to make sure I focus on being my best. I’ve got to where I am by doing that and pushing myself. It hasn’t been about the big teams or titles, it’s been about showing up and giving it my all.”

She might have the world at her feet, but the country kid from Denman will always appreciate the love and support she’s received from home.

“I’m so thankful for my mum. All the driving she’s done for me over the years from Newcastle to Denman, to Sydney and across states. I can’t even imagine how many hours she’s spent in the car with me. She’s done so much, and I don’t think people realise just how much she’s given up,” she said.

“I am so excited about the future and all that’s to come. But it’s all started here with my family, my friends, my school and my community, both in Newcastle and Denman. I’m always going to be so grateful for that.”

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