As 2022 draws to a close, the entire Women Sport Australia board (WSA) want to thank everyone for supporting Women Sport Australia (WSA). It’s been another busy year for us as we continually aim to improve opportunities for girls and women in sport and recreation on and off the field.
We’ve taken a moment to reflect on our 2022 and the exciting things that happened!
- In February, in partnership with CADURY, we announced a total of $150,000 worth of grants of up to $5,000 were awarded to 40 sporting clubs and associations across the country. Applications were received from 466 clubs and associations from upwards of 30 different sports and all states and territories.
- In March, we announced that in-person mentoring sessions would return. We held three face-to-face sessions in Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast this year, led by Carol Fox and Bron Parry.
- Also in March, we welcomed athlete and producer Chantella Perera to our board. Later in the year, we would happily welcome Chantella as our new Deputy President.
- On International Women’s Day (8 March), we launched our partnership with the Sports Bra Project. They help remove barriers to sports participation for women and girls around the world by providing new sports bras in communities where opportunities and access to sport is limited.
- In April, we launched the fourth Women in Sport Photo Action Awards (WISPAA), with the an awards night held in June at Foys Arcade in Melbourne. We were delighted to host an in-person event for the awards for the first time since 2019. Thank you to our judges Michael Willson, Cassie Trotter and Selina Steele for their contribution to selecting our winning images!
Professional Winner: “Lightning Strike” by Matt King
— Women Sport Australia (@auswomensport) June 1, 2022
Professional runners up: “Jamie Kah” by Scott Barbour and “Mine” by Daniel Pockett pic.twitter.com/lPNkjNaBQi
- In June, our President, Gen Dohrmann was nominated for Volunteer of the Year award at the Vic Sports Awards Night. #WISPAA was also nominated for Outstanding Media Coverage.
- Mid year, we acknowledged the 50th anniversary of Title IX. In the USA in 1972, it was declared “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” We congratulate Billie Jean King and all who stood beside her to campaign for this groundbreaking legislation.
- In July, some of our board attended the exhibited at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, meeting and hearing from industry leaders and encouraging our community to sign up to our Gender Equity in Sport pledge.
- In August, our Secretary Tam Harding represented Women Sport Australia in Canberra at The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Sport’s Women in Sport workforce round table with 50 other stakeholders. The roundtable was aimed at developing pathways for increasing the number of women in the sport industry. WSA also held two online round table events in April and September, discussing advocacy and leadership and the success of Australia’s female athletes at the Commonwealth Games.
- In October, our board hosted the Women In Sport Breakfast at Marvel Stadium. Over 600 guests joined us for an early morning discussion with Kieren Perkins, Sarah Walsh, Dr Fiona McLachlan and Sharelle McMahon on “Shaping the Game” and what the future of sport looks like for women and girls. The Women in Sport breakfast was made possible thanks to our Major Sponsor Victoria University.
And we’re off! Welcome to the #WomenInSportBreakfast 2022!
— Women Sport Australia (@auswomensport) October 6, 2022
Our president @gen_dohrmann kicking off proceedings to our 500+ audience at @marvelstadiumau. #WISB #WomenInSport pic.twitter.com/CvGqKkFaMF
- Also in October, we welcomed new board member, Chief of Staff at the APL, Helena Dorczak. Post the Women in Sport Breakfast, we held our strategy day mapping out what the next year will look like for WSA.
- In November, Women Sport Australia President Gen Dohrmann attended the 8th IWG Women & Sport Conference held on the 14-17 November in Auckland which was the world’s largest gathering to advance gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity.
- As well as appearances on ABC News, Channel 9, podcasts, panels, awards nights, launch events, and more, it’s been a massive year for the board.
2023 planning is in full swing and we are excited to be partnering with Pullman Melbourne on the Park for a luncheon on 3 March and with the Global Institute of Sport for scholarships and discounts to complete courses. We look forward to sharing more information about our 2023 plans in the new year.
It’s been a big day for our board with the #WISB22 breakfast and a full strategy day with our entire board meeting in person for the first time in almost 3 years! #WomenInSport
— Women Sport Australia (@auswomensport) October 7, 2022
Matching shirts thanks to #DiamondSports pic.twitter.com/7EuhxqGk6c
Keen to see further change in women’s sport? Sign our Gender Equity in Sport Pledge now. By signing up to the Pledge you are demonstrating your support for Women Sport Australia’s work to influence gender equality in sport and foster the participation of women and girls in active, healthy lifestyles.
See you all in 2023!
