Olympic dreams and giants of women’s sport were showcased in last year’s finalist images for #WISPAA – the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards.
Today Women Sport Australia (WSA), the national advocacy body for women in sport, has launched the 2022 Women in Sport Photo Action Awards (#WISPAA 2022) and is calling for professional and amateur photographers to submit images of women in action in the sporting arena.
Photographers under 21 are also invited to submit images, with the introduction of the ‘Emerging Photographer’ category.
Now in its fourth year, #WISPAA aims to generate greater recognition and respect for the power and athleticism of Australian women actively participating in sport. Women Sport Australia is delighted to announce that in 2022, we will be again supported by News Corp as a media partner.
WSA President Gen Dohrmann said the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards has grown significantly over the past three years, with an incredible array of images being submitted year after year.
“I am so proud to see this competition in its fourth year. It’s such a great opportunity to showcase female athletes in action and the quality of the photographs has been mind-blowing and we look forward to adding many more spectacular images of female athletes to the mix in 2022.”
AFL Media Photographer Michael Willson completed the #WISPAA hat-trick in 2021 with his winning shot “The Leaning Tower of Tayla” in the professional category. The striking black and white image framed Taylor taking a mark in a match at VU Whitten Oval in February 2021.
The winner of the amateur #WISPAA category for 2021 was Queensland photographer Casey Sims. The image titled “Tokyo – Let’s Go” captured Australian Hurdler Liz Clay crossing the line to book a spot in the Tokyo Olympic team in April, 2021.
Two-time amateur winner Casey Simms says WISPAA has given Female Australian athletes a chance to take the spotlight in the media, in a way that hasn’t been done before.
“WISPAA gives the opportunity to showcase images of female athletes captured at the peak of their performance, participating in sport just like the men do.”
“Women do sport, going through the highs and lows of competition, just like the men.”
Over the last three years, #WISPAA has generated hundreds of entries from across Australia. Despite the challenges of COVID over the past two years, 88 photographers submitted over 300 images in 2021.
#WISPAA 2022 will once again have award categories for both Professional and Amateur photographers, with the introduction of an ‘Emerging Photographer’ category for those aged under 21.
More information about #WISPAA 2022 can be found at womensportaustralia.com.
