The Rockley Game in Queanbeyan
- Dr Roslyn Russell
- Apr 14
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Queanbeyan Historical Museum Significance Assessment
2026
Abstract
This article explores the Rockley Game, a modified form of cricket developed in the 1890s for girls and young women, and its rapid spread across Queanbeyan and surrounding districts. It highlights how the game became a popular and competitive social activity, bringing together communities across regional New South Wales.
Drawing on photographs, archival sources, and personal accounts, including a detailed letter from player Mabel Fallick, the article reconstructs the experiences of young women participating in matches and regional competitions. It shows how the Rockley Game provided opportunities for social engagement while remaining shaped by contemporary expectations of propriety and supervision.
The article reflects on the game’s legacy as an early precursor to women’s cricket, demonstrating how participation in organised sport challenged established ideas about gender and expanded possibilities for women’s public life.