Following her time at Concordia College, Lisa Cotgrove's passion for cricket saw her become an integral member of the South Australian women's cricket team that won three national championships within five years (1991–92, 1992–93 and 1994–95).

Together with her brother Paul Gilliver (1983), Lisa grew up playing cul-de-sac cricket and football with other young people from her neighbourhood, but there weren't many avenues for female cricketers to play competitively at a junior level. At the age of 16, Lisa spotted an advertisement in the local newspaper sharing the news that Salisbury District Cricket Club (now Northern Districts) was starting a women's team. She joined the club and never looked back.

The opportunity to represent South Australia in the Under 18 team progressed to involvement at Under 21 level and then as a member of the Open team, with SA taking out the national championship back to back in 1992 and 1993, followed by a third win in 1995. Not only were Lisa and her teammates successful on the field, but they became role models and trailblazers by helping pave the way for future female cricketers in an era that has served to elevate women's cricket to where it is today. In 2025, Lisa and her national championship winning cricket teammates were inducted into the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame for their contribution to the sport—an extraordinary achievement.

Lisa's other sporting involvements have included being a torchbearer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and umpiring SANFL Women's football, including the 2018 grand final. 

Away from sport, Lisa studied a Bachelor of Business in Administrative Management at the University of South Australia before working at Telstra for a number of years, followed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 

When asked about her advice to current students, especially girls, who may be considering sport as a career, Lisa said,

I would say go for it! If you are passionate and driven then you can forge a great career in sport—not just as a player but also in many other roles such as coaching / administration / teaching. Sport has the ability to teach many skills such as teamwork and leadership which are invaluable, not just in sport, but in life. Have a plan, seek out mentors and follow your dreams.