A grandstand at the newly refurbished Oakes Oval is now officially named after local cricket icon Lyn Larsen AM, celebrating her extraordinary contributions to the sport and deep connection to the Lismore region. 

The tribute is an acknowledgment of Lyn’s remarkable professional sporting career as well as the inspiration her legacy provides future generations. 

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said Lyn’s sporting achievements deserve recognition.

“Lyn Larsen embodies everything we admire in a sporting icon—passion, perseverance and excellence,” he said.

“Naming this grandstand in her honour is a fitting tribute to her legacy and a reminder of what our local talent can achieve.

“This grandstand will inspire countless young cricketers and sports enthusiasts, reminding them of the heights that can be reached with dedication and passion.”

Born and raised in Tuntable Creek, Lyn’s journey to cricketing greatness began on front-yard cricket pitches prepared by her father, George, where she developed the skills that would launch her to the pinnacle of international cricket, captaining her country.

Lyn paid tribute to George for also rolling his arm over countless times on their farm and to her brother Peter for taking over when George was worn out.

From playing local matches to leading the Australian women’s cricket team at just 22, Lyn’s career featured 15 Test matches and 49 one-day internationals, plus captained Australia to a historic World Cup victory in 1988. 

Last year, Lyn was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, which added to her impressive list of awards: the NSW Hall of Champions, NSW Cricket Hall of Fame, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Life Member Cricket NSW, Honorary Life Member of the MCC (Lord's cricket ground) and in 2020 Lyn was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to cricket as a player, selector, manager and coach at an elite level.

(Lyn Larsen holding the Women's World Cup trophy in 1988)

An emotional Lyn Larsen said she is honoured to be recognised in such a way.

"To say that this is special is an understatement. To say that I'm honoured is an understatement. When I look around, I see Adam's (Gilchrist) name, I see John's (McMahon) name on this iconic ground. I've had a lot of terrific acknowledgements in recent years, things that have blown me away at the time, but to have your name on a grandstand at an iconic venue in the town that you love, there's no greater tribute."

"I've always loved this ground. We used to attract such fantastic events here, back from World Series Cricket. I remember standing behind the sight screen behind Michael Holding when he was running up. We'd have Sheffield Shield games. We'd have the Toohey's Cup matches.

"We'd be over here in the old grandstand for Lismore Women's Cricket, Marie would be catering, and we'd sneak out amongst all the stars like we had a right to be there. We were just carrying out the meals or collecting cups, but we were rubbing shoulders with them. So, the memories go back a long way.

"When we played out here, we played state championships and won state championships. To be out in the middle here was so special. City v Country out here. I just love the fact that we got the Sydney people to come here. They didn't realise it was so far from Sydney. Well, it's the same distance in reverse. I loved that they could come here and see what Lismore had. We had facilities like no other in the state, and I was so proud of that.

"We used to play matches against the Gentleman of Lismore who put their hand in their pocket, $100 or something, just to play in that match, which was a fundraising match in 1987 to get me on that plane to England because, as you know, back then, we had to pay to play. And the support from the Lismore community back then was just unrivalled. And I was so proud to always be Lyn from Lismore.

Lyn said one of her favourite matches on the Oakes Oval turf was the first Women's One Day International under lights.

"We had the old wooden stand at the time. To stand out in the middle under lights, we were beating New Zealand, and that was always good, but there was no prouder moment for me to be looking around and seeing the stands full of family and friends that Lismore people had come out to support.

Lyn then acknowledged the crowd of people who turned up to watch their friend receive her grandstand tribute.

(Lyn Larsen AM, Mayor Steve Krieg and Lyn's family and friends in front of her grandstand)

"So, the connection with this ground is long and strong, and I love it. And to look around, I won't look around to see that because I will burst into tears again. I just feel it's such a privilege, Steve; I can't thank you enough for the honour that you've given me. I want to thank you all for coming today. You're all here as special people for me.

"I'm so privileged to have Marie Lee here. I would never have played cricket, and there wouldn't have been cricket, except for Marie forming the Lismore Women's Cricket Association and a lifelong supporter. The whole time, Marie was always there, and I can't thank you enough, Marie, I've got former teammates here in Lismore Spot, Scurgy, Shippo and Karen and Julie as former Australian teammates. So, to have you here means the world to me."

"And three people I want to acknowledge going back to my Sydney connection. When you get off the bus at five o'clock in the morning at Hornsby, and you've got to get to a training thing, you've got to have someone in Sydney, and it was Aunty Mary, Uncle Charlie and Dean. He'd pick me up, take me wherever I needed to be, and then get me back on the bus on the Sunday night. So it's lovely to have you here all these years later. Dean was my little cousin at the time who carried my kit bag; I was the only person who had their own private kit bag carrier. I thought I was pretty special."

It was at this stage that another well-known Lismore cricketing identity, Norm Ryder, presented Lyn with the cricket ball that was used in her favourite Oakes Oval Women's International One Dayer under lights on the 13th of January 1993. The ball was signed by other Australian players, including Lyn as captain.

Lyn then shared her favourite innings on Oakes Oval.

"It wasn't a formal game; it was in the Gentleman of Lismore when we played that fundraising game, and I made 80 odd or something. It was such an enjoyable occasion. The guys were great, playing with my Lismore teammates and playing out here. I mean, I just loved this. That would be the one that I say was special because of the community support from the guys that we played against and playing with my Lismore teammates and to score some runs. The longer you're out in the middle, is always a good time."

“I am so privileged and humbled, and this is such an honour,” she said.

“To have a grandstand bearing your name is one of the greatest tributes a sportsperson can be paid.