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VicSport Welcome:
As many of you will be aware VicSport has taken on the important role of supporting and advocating for women’s issues on behalf of the sector following the closure of Womensport and Recreation Victoria (WSRV) in 2007. With funding support from the Department of Community Planning and Development (Sport and Recreation Victoria) and VicHealth, VicSport will ensure that women’s sport is strongly and specifically represented under the VicSport banner.
As part of the Women’s Sport initiative, VicSport will provide a range of important ongoing women’s sport support initiatives as part of our funding agreement with Sport and Recreation Victoria, such as the Women in Sport E-News letter (WISe-news). WISe-news will highlight upcoming events, current and topical issues, breaking news, sporting updates, funding opportunities and profile Victorian female athlete successes. WISe-news will be distributed electronically every 2 - 3 months.
Another new and exciting initiative will be the development of a female sport administrators network. This fundamental initiative will deliver professional development and networking opportunities for female administrators who work for VicSport member organisations. Currently there are few, if any, formalised networking opportunities available for female administrators to come together and share information and experiences. The aim of this network is to assist women working in sport to establish links with other administrators and project officers across the sport and recreation industry. The female sports administrator network will fill an important industry gap. In the first networking workshop, coming up in September, participants will have the opportunity to work on issues around understanding personal strengths, career direction, goal setting and how to fill in the gaps. At the end of the session a social networking opportunity will be provided to encourage attendees to establish contacts with women outside their own organisation. Further information on the first networking workshop will be distributed to VicSport members in the near future.
For those of you who wish to be on the WISe-news distribution list and have not yet sent through your contact details, please forward them to amberb@vicsport.asn.au. In addition, if you wish to contribute information or relevant stories to the newsletter, email them through as they come to hand. I look forward to working with you all and keeping you up to date with women’s sport information.
Amber Bleechmore, Women in Sport Project Manager
What's Happening...
Sharelle McMahon - Captain: Australian Netball Team
Australian goal shooter, Sharelle McMahon was appointed captain of the Australian Netball Team on July 1, 2008, after having held the vice captaincy since 2004. Renowned for her remarkable speed, agility, reflexes and steely-eyed determination, Sharelle is the 19th captain in the sport’s 80-year history. .png "- sharelle border")
Sharelle has forged a reputation for on court brilliance and also brings passion, commitment, inspiration and strong leadership skills to one of Australian sport’s most prestigious roles. McMahon felt humbled to be given the chance to follow in the footsteps of Liz Ellis, Kathryn Harby-Williams, Vicki Wilson, Michelle Fielke and Anne Sargeant, and aims to continue inspiring her teammates. Since playing netball from seven years of age, Sharelle has played at the highest level for the past 11 seasons for the newly formed Melbourne Vixens in the ANZ Championships, and is extremely excited about sharing her experiences and knowledge with the next generation of athletes to ensure the traditions of the Australian Netball Team continue.
Currently recovering from a knee operation, McMahon will be forced to watch the Aussie team from the sidelines for a few months but is looking forward to hitting the boards again as soon as she is able to. Meanwhile Sharelle is confident Australia will maintain their World No.1 standing, despite the departures of previous starting players from the side that beat New Zealand in the 2007 world championship final.
Cricket – New contract and remuneration scheme for women’s cricket
On June 27, 2008, Cricket Australia (CA) announced that a new contract and remuneration scheme would be offered for Australian female players. The announcement reflects the work done by Cricket Australia, its senior players and state associations over the past six months. It is a massive boost for the Australian side, for some players have lost jobs due to their cricket commitments. Under the scheme, CA will make a total annual contribution of up to $500,000 to members of Australia’s women’s squad, which will play a vital role in providing some financial assistance to help keep our females in the game. The contribution also includes education and training grants from the Kerry Packer Cricket Foundation. As well as providing financial support, the scheme will create more opportunities for CA to use its elite female players to promote the game and link with its Females in Cricket Strategy, which seeks to increase female involvement at all levels cricket.
The Females in Cricket strategy will be similar to the Chance to Shine scheme developed by the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB). The ECB’s contracts for the English female cricket team are designed to allow the players to be able to play cricket at international level and also be able to give back to women’s cricket through their Change to Shine initiative, which encourages contracted England players to act as ambassadors to increase girls’ participation in cricket throughout England. 
English player, Ebony Rainford-Brent believes this new way enables the cricketing industry to work together. “It’s important for women’s cricket that all countries, where possible, move towards offering contracts of this sort of nature because we need to make sure that everyone is competing on an even playing field rather than, say, us and Australia getting better because we have the ability to now commit to cricket. Now the ECB has blazed a trail, hopefully other boards will follow suit as with CA”.
The women's game is gradually gaining exposure, and is sparking interest as last-year’s curtain raisers to men's Twenty20s has already proved. The challenge has been in keeping the most attractive flair players in the game - and these are often the ones who have other international sporting interests. The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are about to embark on an unprecedented level of international cricket in the coming year where players will make a minimum 100-day commitment to the international program including:
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Tour of Australia by India (October/November 2008);
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Australian tour to New Zealand (February 2009);
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2009 ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia (March 2009);
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ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in England (June 2009); and
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Women’s Ashes Test and ODI Tour of the UK (June/July 2009)
In addition, Australia will host the next Women’s Cricket World Cup in March, 2009. See Cricket Victoria’s website for match schedule.
Australian Women’s Cricket vs. Ed and Akmal from Nova 100
Upon chatting with Shane Warne on air, Ed Cavali declared he could make 100 runs against the Australian women’s cricket team without a day’s preparation. On Thursday 17 July, he placed himself directly in the line of a ball travelling at 120kms, and dire physical harm when he took on five of Australia’s top players from the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars - Lisa Sthalekar, Emma Inglis, Sarah Edwards, Ellyse Perry and Emma Sampson. Former test circketer Stuart McGill has chipped into the debate. “The only way Ed could score 100 runs is if the bowlers are going to be blindfolded,”. In the wash-up Ed scored 34 runs, a s
core well in excess of what most thought possible.
Before the contest Aussie vice-captain Lisa Sthalekar said, “It is a brave statement that you can score a hundred against the Australian women’s cricket team. The fastest female bowlers in Australia have responded to the call and I can’t wait to have a piece of him. If he’s not sporting a few bruises by the end of the game I will be very disappointed.”
As the photo clearly shows above, by the end of the match Ed was sporting some significant bruises. The Wrong Way Home’s Akmal and Cal were wingman for their cocky sidekick. Cal, captain of her primary school cricket team for 20 minutes, bowled the first ball, Akmal was Ed’s runner and six lucky listeners were honorary female fielders.
In July 2008, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Westfield announced a landmark agreement in support of the fastest growing team sport for women in Australia – women’s football. The Westfield Group's support involves women’s football ranging from the Westfield Championship for Girls, 
the establishment of a new national women’s league known as the Westfield W-League, and the national women's team to be known as the Westfield Matildas. It puts the game at the forefront of women’s sport in Australia, at all levels including the grassroots.
Women’s football has enjoyed an average annual growth rate of 6.3 per cent over the past five years, especially on the back of the performance of the Matildas in the Women’s World Cup in 2007. The Matildas are one of the highest achieving sporting teams in Australia, having made four Women’s World Cup tournaments and several Olympic Games, and football offers a unrivalled career path for talented elite women athletes.
Federal Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis believes “Women’s sport in Australia has been stuck in a cycle of poor media exposure for some time, leading to less and less media coverage, shrinking sponsorship and fewer remuneration opportunities. For a country that idolises our sporting heroes, women’s sport doesn’t receive the profile it deserves. This cycle must be broken, and the formation of the Westfield W-League is a giant leap forward, and one the Australian Government is proud to support.”
The new competition, commencing in October 2008, will feature eight teams from around Australia – seven teams from the existing men’s A-League clubs, as well as a team from Canberra. The Australian Government committed an extra $32 million in funding over four years to the FFA, including $16 million to help FFA establish the eight-team W-League, as well as support for the national women’s team, the Matildas, the Young Matildas, and the Women’s Under 17s competition.
A new initiative is set to address the current “crisis” in women’s sport in Wales. The Commission on the Future of Women's Sport will be established to specifically address the “inequalities” of women’s sport when compared to men’s.
The commission will address the number of female executives, board members and coaches involved in sport; the amount of coverage devoted to women’s sport, and the money invested in it. Commission Chair, Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson believes that "although positive steps are being taken – Sport England has stipulated that National Governing Bodies (NGBs) failing to make specific provision for women’s sport will see funding switched to those that do, – there’s still much to be done in creating an equal playing field. Figures also show that more than 80% of women do not undertake enough exercise and only 8% of young women play competitive sports."
Dame Tanni said: “Having risen through the structures of British sport, and performed at the highest level, I have seen for myself many of the inequalities that women and girls have to put up with in this country. It is therefore a real honour to chair the body that will aim to tackle these inequalities. The Commission is exactly what winning 2012 was all about – providing the kind of inspiration and leadership to get more women and girls playing and competing in sport at every level.”
The areas to be discussed by the commission have been highlighted as key because only four of the leading 35 British NGBs of sport have a female chief executive, while women make up just 25% of all NGB board members and 25% of the highest qualified elite and development coaches. Five NGBs that represent women’s sport have no female board members; men’s sport is given 50 times more coverage than women’s, and women’s sport receives significantly less funding than men’s.
Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport, said: “Getting more women and girls to do sport is high on our agenda. This is about challenging perceptions and getting more women of all ages to give sport a try. We need to see women’s sport getting the media coverage it deserves to inspire young girls to take up sport. I’m pleased that we now have a commission of experts working on this and, led by one of our great sporting heroes, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, I’m sure women’s sport will go from strength to strength. The huge growth in women’s football has shown what is possible if governing bodies, clubs, coaches and the media make a commitment to giving women’s sport a brighter future.”
According to Astrid Aafies, Executive Director of 'Women Win' (an International fund whose aim is to empower women and girls worldwide by focusing on sport and physical activity as a strategy for gender equality), sport is a powerful tool to empower girls and women to achieve their full potential in society by creating an environment conducive to gender equality. "Stereotypes of women's physical abilities and social roles preserve gender discrimination," said Aafjes. "Both social and cultural barriers prevent girls and women from achieving their full potential. To break these patterns, we have to challenge gender discrimination and unequal gender relations and establish an enabling environment for gender equality.
Aafies argued that sport is not only a powerful tool to help build self-confidence and breaking social stereotypes but that it also "increases visibility of girls and women in public space", in turn helping prepare the ground for further complementary development activities, such as awareness-raising of HIV/AIDS and reproductive and sexual rights.
As for developing countries, Aafjes believes that the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa will further help raise awareness of the use of sport for social change. Due to the Cup, "many corporations, foundations and non-profit organisations have already made additional resources available to implement program's in South Africa," she said. Aafjes welcomed the EU White Paper on Sport and its three-level focus on the societal role of sport, its economic dimension and its organisation. This, she said, is because sport can contribute to social cohesion and equal opportunities and create job opportunities for women in the sector. 'Women Win' also supports programs training women as coaches, trainers and referees and hopes to contribute to increased representation of women in management and leadership positions in sport.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics clearly show the gender scales are tipping toward a balance as 4,500 women to enter 36 events. In addition to being remembered for its magnificent athletic achievement, Beijing will also for establishing an Olympic record for the participation of women, who are expected to eclipse their high-water 40.8 per cent entry at Athens in 2004.
Spinning in his grave will be French Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Games, who never lost a night's sleep pondering gender equality. "Olympics with women would be incorrect, unpractical, uninteresting and unaesthetic," de Coubertin said shortly after his 1896 Athens Olympics had resurrected the Games from their ancient ashes. "We feel that the Olympic Games must be reserved for the solemn and periodic exaltation of male athleticism with internationalism as a base, loyalty as a means, arts for its setting and female applause as its reward."
De Coubertin would be dragged into the 20th century nearly 1,500 years after Roman Emperor Theodosius I had abolished the Ancient Games as pagan in AD 393. Twenty-one women - 21 more than had taken part in Athens in 1896 - competed in the 1900 Paris Olympics, 1.9 per cent of the total entry. The fight for women's equality, or something even vaguely resembling it, has been long and frustrating. The IOCs lifelike all-male crested blazers erected barriers for decades and did not elect a single woman as a voting member until 1981. Unable to convince de Coubertin to welcome more women in his arena, Alice Milliat of France established in 1921 what would become known as the Women's Olympics, held five times through 1934. It wasn't until Helsinki in 1952 that women cracked the elusive 10-per-cent Olympic participation barrier, and not before Montreal 24 years later would there be one woman for every five men competing in the Games. The gender scales will continue to tip toward a balance in Beijing, where 4,500 women in 36 sport disciplines will offer compelling, even historic performances on the Olympic stage.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics marks 108 years since the opening of the Modern Olympic Games and 102 years since women first began participating in one of the most important events of the sporting calendar. The first Australian female Olympians were Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie, who competed at the 1912 Games in Stockholm and won gold and silver in the 100m freestyle event. From here, Australian athletes such as Shane Gould, Betty Cuthbert, Shirley Strickland and Cathy Freeman, have gone on to achieve remarkable victories in the Olympic Games, taking the sporting world by storm and standing female Australian athletes firmly on the international stage.
There is no doubt the axing of softball from the Olympic program after Beijing will have an impact at the community level. On August 12, at Beijing's Fengtai Stadium, the Aussie Girls Softball team took on Japan before a sold-out crowd. It was to be a euphoric moment, but a bittersweet one as softball has been axed as an Olympic sport after Beijing. Softball, along with baseball, has been struck out of the 2012 London Games, but the sport isn't giving up, fighting for its future with a lobbying campaign featuring former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch and a new office near the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. 
"The decision to drop softball came as an absolute shock," says Softball Australia vice-president Darryl Clout. "It defies logic when the IOC are talking about involving more women in the Olympics and they discard a women's team sport which was successful by nearly every category the IOC looked for inside and outside the Olympics competition." Aussie Spirit, the national women's team, has won medals in each of the sport's three Olympic appearances, with silver in Athens in 2004 and bronze in both Sydney and Atlanta. There are more than 35,000 registered players in Australia, but interest has fallen since softball was dumped from the Games in 2005. The decision has also threatened softball's $2 million share of future Federal Government funding to Olympic sports.
Australian IOC member and former IOC vice-president Kevan Gosper says it is a nonsense not to have softball in the Olympics as softball is a very good female sport, very successful with a very good following. Australian IOC member Phil Coles, who pitched the first softball in Athens, suggests there was a silent push against softball and baseball from within the IOC's executive board. "It was said softball was not universal enough, that it did not have enough countries playing, but I could name a number of sports with the same problem. How modern pentathlon survived I'll never know." The decision to drop softball and baseball left two free spots on the Olympics program, from a shortlist of rugby, golf, squash, karate and roller sports. But the push to fill the vacancies in Singapore faltered. Some IOC members openly admitted they spoiled the vote in protest against the removal of a women's sport from the Olympics program. 
Only 26 sports will be staged in London in 2012. But the IOC will seek to fill its two vacancies in time for the 2016 Olympics when it meets in October 2009. Softball (and baseball), which narrowly lost a vote for their reinstatement by the IOC in 2006, can seek readmission. Aussie Spirit's Victorian pitcher Melanie Roche, 37 playing her fourth Olympic Games in Beijing, is determined it won't be softball's third and final strike in the Olympics. "Missing out hurts," she says. "You love the sport and dedicate so much time and heart and passion to it, and the top level has been taken away from you. But you can't keep the Spirit down. My attitude is to get back up and make sure we get back in 2016."
VICTORIA'S female boxers are shaping up for a chance to compete at the Olympic Games - http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun
Mischa Merz and Darly Timms fromthe Herald Sun (15 July) has reported that amateur boxing officials are expecting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow women to box in the 2012 London Games. The decision, due in 2009, will breach the last bastion of male exclusivity in Olympic sports. Boxing is the only discipline in the summer Games in which women are not represented.
Ted Tanner, chairman of Boxing Australia, said the international standard of female boxers is now very high and hoped the IOC decision would attract more Australian women to the sport from other martial arts and combat sports. It will also help improve funding for the sport. He believes it was old values that has held women's boxing back.
Women have to hold their own national championships this month because this year's Australian titles will be staged in NSW, where female boxing is illegal. NSW boxers competed at the tournament in Brunswick for the chance to represent Australia at the world amateur titles in Ningbo City, China, in November. It will be the fifth world championships for women and while Australia has been represented before, only one boxer, South Australian Desi Kontos in 2002, has won a medal. Victorian team members have been sparring with each other and professional boxer Susie Ramadan, who on July 11 won the national super bantamweight title at Knox Basketball Centre and remains undefeated in four professional fights.
Boxer Candy Revuelta, 24, says she hopes the impending decision about the Olympics will improve the level of women's participation in boxing. She boxed at age 17 as a junior but had to stop because there weren't any opponents in her flyweight division. Revuelta resumed in October and has had one fight for one win. "After I had a break I realised I had a passion for it and I had always loved it. It's an exciting time for women's boxing. There's no way I would give it up now," she said.
An estimated 30,000 women from 120 countries box competitively. Last year's world titles in Russia attracted 152 boxers from 28 countries. For more information on how to get involved in boxing at a local level contact Nic La Rosa from Boxing Victoria on 0416242677
Poor self-esteem and body image are being blamed for girls dropping out of sporting activities during their teenage years. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) says research has shown the main reason for young girls abandoning sport between the ages of 11 and 15 is their low self-image. A lack of confidence in self image, doubts about their sporting ability, and having to wear revealing uniforms are among the barriers to girls continuing to play sport, the ASC reports on its website. The ASC urges sports administrators to consider these factors when designing or implementing dress or uniform codes. If a girl is not confident about her physical ability, her looks, or is upset by name calling from her peers, she is unlikely to enjoy sport and / or continue to participate. The ASC article is based on findings from a 2006 Senate Inquiry into Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia, which identified major barriers to girls’ participation as body image/lack of self-confidence, strict dress codes, lack of positive role models and influence of family and friends.
The Senate investigation found that girls’ participation in organised sport peaked at 64% at 11 years of age, but fell steadily to 53% by the age of 14. Girls’ involvement in physical leisure activities declined from about 10 years of age. A lack of confidence in their abilities to perform physical tasks may lead girls to avoid situations which could expose their lack of confidence, therefore failing to master basic motor skills required to participate in games and sports.
According to the Senate Committee committee resport, a further complicating factor was that females were more concerned than males about eating, body weight and appearance. For many women, dissatisfaction with body shape and appearance peaks during adolescence. It is at this time that many teenage girls are often required to wear school or club sports uniforms that make them feel particularly self-conscious.
According to the Bendigo Advertiser, ironically, while many girls avoid sport because they are self-conscious or feel they lack skills, girls who are physically active report a more positive body image and greater self-confidence.
A 2006 report by Mission Australia showed body image appears to be a growing problem. The survey of approximately 30,000 young Australians aged 11-24 found that it was their biggest concern. Body image rated third among young people’s worries in the 2006, but by late last year it had become their most pressing concern, ahead of family conflict and stress. "Young women’s level of concern about body image has increased from 28.5 per cent in 2006 to 34.9 per cent in 2007,’’ Mission Australia spokeswoman Anne Hampshire said. As a community, we should all be concerned by these results.
Leisure Network’s Women on Board Project: Chelsey Cameron (52249932 / chelsey@leisurenetworks.org)
Women on Board was a project run by Leisure Networks in May and funded through an ASC Sports Leadership Grant for Women. This grants program aimed to provide women with an opportunity to undertake sport leadership training and enable women from a broad range of sports to gain knowledge of all aspects of board membership, governance, procedures and expectations. The Women on Board project was delivered through two, six hour training workshops conducted over two consecutive Sundays. Content covered throughout the workshops included financial management, conflict management, report writing, strategic planning, planning and conducting effective meetings, conflict of interest, policies, procedures and roles and responsibilities of board members.
The training was practically based and provided participants with tangible tools and resources, including a resource kit and DVD containing all information covered throughout the training. In addition to training, two unique guest presenters in Kate Roffey, CEO Vicsport, and Helene Bender, Director/Proprietor Allabout Tours and Travel reinforced the content and information.
Some of the many positive outcomes of the project included:
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Representation from the entire Barwon region
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New relationships formed or existing relationships between clubs and Leisure Networks strengthened
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Participants formed an email tree to enable them to communicate and share ideas between the groups
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Positive feedback with many participants individually following up reporting that they had already been able to put into practice skills and knowledge obtained through the workshops.
The evaluation process made it clear that the Women on Board project was a highly effective and worthwhile initiative for Leisure Networks to undertake. The project successfully equipped women from a broad range of sports with the knowledge and skills associated with all aspects of board membership, governance procedures and expectations.
Horse Racing: THE Sport of Kings is slowly becoming the Sport of Queens SCOTT WALSH - http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow
The racing industry in the 21st century - traditionally dominated by men - has witnessed an explosion in its numbers of women. Adelaide Now newspaper (22 June) reported that of the 20 up-and-coming jockeys chasing their tickets to ride at the Morphettville apprentice academy in South Australia, 50% are women, aged between 18 and 25.
In a sport known for its early mornings and grinding workloads, women are given no free rides in their pursuit of horseracing greatness and are expected to work as hard - often harder - to continue disproving traditional opinions in an industry built on mental and physical toughness. On the journey to female jockey acceptance, Trainer Gai Waterhouse has helped drive the balance closer to equality along with Australia's first registered female jockeys Linda Jones and Pam O'Neil. The courageous Bev Buckingham story also inspired others after recovering from quadriplegia and the Payne family sisters breaking through the barriers. Women are now galloping into the racing game.
Never before has interest from women been so high in a sport where history says guys do the grunt work and girls bring the glamour. Industry experts, trainers, jockeys and the women involved say a wide range of factors has pushed the surge in female numbers, including:
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Increase in the average size and weight of Australians, especially men;
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Shift in attitude that no longer brands women jockeys inferior to men;
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Acceptance that women can offer a softer, more compassionate riding style than men;
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Racing's drop in popularity compared with previous generations;
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Theory that women listen better - and stick to trainers' race instructions.
The latest National Health Survey from 2005 shows in the 10 years since 1995 the average Aussie man grew 2.1kg heavier, to 84.1kg. Women 1.1kg heavier, to 68.1kg. Industry insiders voted this factor as the single biggest reason behind the boom in women jockeys. There is a growing demand for smaller jockeys so women will no longer be an oddity in the racing industry. Weight aside, it is also the mind set and never give up attitude of today’s ‘Y Generation’. Teenagers know what they want and are prepared to work hard to achieve their goals. For all racing's historic chauvinism, the women involved say they wouldn't wish the sport to be any different. They love the way it is and how competitive it is with the boys. All jockeys know that there is not easy way to get success, being a girl may be that little bit harder but they are determined to work harder to achieve their goals!
Getting Involved…
Women’s Premier League – Fernwood Bendigo Vipers
The Fernwood Bendigo Vipers is a representative squad, which has been competing in the Football Federation Victoria (FFV) Women's Premier League (WPL) over the last four years.
Having only just avoided relegation last year with a win in the second last week of the 2007 WPL season, the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League decided to extend the eligibility criteria to a larger catchment and welcomed in 2008 female footballers from Albury-Wodonga (AWFA) and Shepparton (NESL) leagues. 
With only a couple of weeks to go in the current WPL season, the Vipers are assured a place in the WPL for next year. An amazing effort considering that at least 25 of the players are 20 years of age or less with the youngest player at 14 years old.
Fernwood Bendigo Vipers firsts team, with an average age of just 17, and many players in their first year of participation in the WPL (the highest level of club competition for female footballers in the state) managed draws against three of the top four WPL sides. On top of this, because the players come from such a large catchment area, training together as a squad was not practical. Team preparation was held over several weeks before the start of the 2008 WPL championship.
The team's overall results has been a fantastic achievement for such a young group of players, and speaks volumes of the talent and potential of regional female footballers in general, and the spirit and determination of this young group of athletes in particular. For more information on the Vipers overall achievements and player profiles, contact Peter Richardson (Head Coach and Physio) on 5473173.
Women’s Sailing Makes a Splash - Erin McGavin, Sailing Administrator
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) hosted a very successful Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta in its 18th year. Held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, organisers witnessed the event's biggest fleet since its inception in 1991 with 127 competitors from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia taking to Port Phillip. The competition amongst crew’s was a lot fiercer then the winter wind conditions that refused to cooperate during racing. Despite this, all six series races went ahead and provided on and off shore spectators and supporters with an amazing display of women’s teamwork and talent. This resulted in an exceptionally high standard event, continually raising the standard of women’s sailing in Australia.
Linda Goldsmith, regatta manager and a long time competitor said that the enthusiasm displayed by the women involved was a credit to competitors with Tom Cat II, a J24 skippered by Tanya Stanford taking overall regatta honours. 2007 overall winners J24 Hyperactive skippered by Kirsty Harris took the honours in the AMS division. IRC winners Top Gun were the inaugural recipients of the new Ann Maree Pope - Tracy Luke perpetual IRC Trophy. Ann Maree and Tracy were both members of RMYS and were lost in the capsize of the yacht, Excalibur off the NSW in 2002. The trophy is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of these women both of whom were passionate about their sailing.
Celebrations shared with 180 guests continued throughout Presentation night. The sportsmanship award was presented to Silicon Chix, in recognition of sailing fairly throughout the regatta and in particularly ‘waiting for the last boat to cross the line in each race and cheering them for their efforts.’ Most improved boat (and crew) went to RGYC’s Savoire Faire, a 13 crew Beneteau 47.7 skippered by Raewyn Hansen and Robyn Brooks, the 2006 ORCV Ocean Racer of the Year.
Congratulations to the organising committee at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron who support and encourage the involvement of women on the water. For full race results go to http://www.rmys.com.au/
VicSport are seeking EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST to donate blood!!!
Have you thought about giving blood but left it as only a thought?
Haven’t found the time to make an appointment?
Why not join VicSport in a Blood Donor Challenge and make a difference! If enough interest is created, Vicsport will establish 3 categories (LGA’s, SSA’s and Industry Bodies). Each category will have a Donor Club Code.
When making your booking quote your donor club code and the challenge begins. Every quarter a running tally will be available on the VicSport website (www.vicsport.asn.au) to promote the leading sporting body.
Across Victoria, shuttle buses can be organised to take donors to and from your workplace or mobile vans (depending on guaranteed bookings) can be arranged.
To get the ball rolling, contact Amber at 9923 1373 or amberb@vicsport.asn.au to express your interest.
Lets create discussion NOW, encourage colleagues, spread the word & help save lives!
Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA), Janice Crosswhite OAM (AWRA President)
AWRA have been successful in securing a major grant from the Federal Govt (Office for Women) to run a National Leadership Sports Program. Womensport Queensland, Womensport and Recreation NSW, the ACT Sports Federation and Womensport West will work to deliver the program at city and regional centres early 2009. Upon completion, leadership fact sheets which will be available on the AWRA website.
Currently on the website, you can access leadership components including governance modules to assist women to build their confidence, skills and knowledge to stand for boards and committees across grass-roots sport and recreation. The modules cover Board Readiness, Good Governance, Risk Management and Effective Board Meetings.
Memberships to AWRA are complimentary. Head to www.australianwomensport.com.au to join
Events and Sport Updates…
Women in Business Lunch
The City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Business Network are proud to present the Women in Business Lunch, which this Olympic year has the theme "Women in the Business of Sport'. 2008 is a very important year, as organisers are working with the Victorian chapter of the ‘Dragons Abreast’ the national women’s breast cancer support network (www.dragonsabreast.org.au), so that we can raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause.
The format for the event will be to allow time for an enjoyable lunch and networking, and we will also present a facilitated panel discussion on the theme of 'Women in the Business of Sport'. We have a fantastic panel of women speakers who have not only succeeded in sport but who have also made a great contribution to raising the profile of women in sport. Our speakers include Chief Executive of Netball Australia, Kate Palmer, AFL Commissioner and founder of the Essendon Football Club Women's Network, Justice Linda Dessau and Chief Executive of VicSport, Kate Roffey. New City of Melbourne CEO, Dr Kathy Alexander will act as moderator.
One of the very popular aspects of the lunch with attendees is the ‘Goodie Bags’, which each attendee receives. This year I think we have done really well with each attendee receiving $250 worth of value – including two “A” Reserve tickets to one of the MSO’s major 2008 concerts. The Lunch is also hosting a great fashion auction just in time for the Spring Racing Carnival! You can bid for a package that contains 'the dress', the 'accessories' - and the 'makeover! All profits to Dragons Abreast. And all this for just $65.00.
- What: The City of Melbourne Women in Business Lunch
- When: Tuesday 16 September
- Time: 12.15pm
- Where: The Plaza Ballroom at the Regent Theatre, Collins St - just up from Swanston St
- Cost: $65.00 or $620 for a table of 10
- Profits to: Dragons Abreast - supporting women with breast cancer
- Info: www.businessmelbourne.com.au/womeninbusiness
Nominations Now Open for SRV Awards 2008
10 Categories - $50 000 to be won! Whether it’s your local team, sports centre, your parent or even yourself, this is a great opportunity to acknowledge your sporting hero. With ten broad ranging categories, there is something for everyone.
Nomination Categories:
- Amateur’s Achievement
- Go for your life Community
- Participation Sport and Recreation
- Education Community Event
- Sport and Recreation research
- Young Person in Sport
- Community Facility Design
- Club and Organisation management
- Volunteers Involvement
- Minister’s Award for Lifetime Achievement
Nominations close Friday 22 August, 2008. Visit www.sport.vic.gov.au and download a nomination template. Contact Shannon Stacey for more information | Shannon.stacey@sport.vic.gov.au | 03 92083442
There were celebrations in Darwin recently with the Victorian Un
der 13 Primary Schools girls cricket side having success at the School Sport Australia Exchange.
The final round match in the girls' draw determined the national winners, with the girls putting on a wonderful display of all-round cricket against NSW. Victoria Yang impressed throughout the tournament with her pace and accuracy. Taking 3/14 in the final game she took her wicket tally to 10 for the tournament, as well as helping restrict NSW to 96 runs. Captain Sarah Chancellor- Goddard lead from the front with a well-complied 31 not out guiding the girls to a 6-wicket victory.
The VPSSA Primary School Exchange has provided a wonderful springboard for a number of current VicSpirit players including Emma Inglis, Annie Maloney and Jessica Cameron. The talent on display in Darwin indicates that this tradition is set to continue.
For all primary school aged kids wanting to trial for next years championships look out for nomination forms at your school in February 2009.
Schedule for Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ World Cup defence announced
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket Australia (CA) announced the match schedule and 
venues for the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup, with Sydney, Canberra, and regional NSW to host the top eight nations in women’s cricket next March. The 25-match tournament will be played at six venues in Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Bowral (7-22 March, 2009). Australia and India are the tournament’s top two seeds, with New Zealand and England viewed as the other two main chances for the title. As the tournament’s top-ranked team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have been placed in Group A along with New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. Group B contains India, England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will open their World Cup defence with a Trans Tasman clash against New Zealand on 8 March at North Sydney Oval before completing their Group A commitments with matches against South Africa and West Indies in Newcastle and Drummoyne. Providing they make it through their Group matches to the Super Sixes stage, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play three more matches before the final and playoff matches. For further information please contact: Matthew Slade, Cricket Australia Public Affairs on 03 9653 8803.
Four Victorians selected in national soccer training camps - 16 July
Four Victorian girls have been thrust into national team contention following standout performances at the National Youth Championships for Girls in Coffs Harbour. Stephanie Catley, Brianna Davey, and Ashley Brown from the Victorian under 15 state squad and Ursula Hughson from the under 17 team, have been included in Australian training camps. Catley, Davey, and Brown will attend the national under 17 camp while Hughson has been invited to join the under 20s. National Training Centre Head Coach Matt Shepherd was pleased with the representation, saying all girls had given themselves a chance to represent their country.
”We will focus on preparing the players mentally for the challenge ahead as they will need to adjust to the national coaches expectations and general demands of football at a national level. There are other players who can consider themselves very close to this level too so we were really pleased with how a lot of the girls performed.” Shepherd said. Three out of the four players selected in the national camps attend the National Training Centre program, and have benefited from the focused development environment. Shepherd hopes to unearth more raw talent and continue to raise the standards of the NTC players in the coming months.
Players interested in becoming a zone participant, should continue to check the FFV website for information in the coming weeks - http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/storyview.php?id=1848
Just what the doctor ordered! Moreland Community Health Service
Medical doctor, international obesity researcher and mother, Dr. Camilla Holdstock officially 
launched Glenroy’s Heart Foundation Pram Walkers Group on Friday 25th July. Dr. Holdstock has a unique perspective on the importance of the Pram Walkers group. As a mother, she understands the many difficulties faced by parents in trying to fit anything extra into a hectic family schedule, and, as a physician, she is keenly aware of the need for regular physical activity to improve health.
“An activity such as a walking group allows us to learn about each other, better our health through socialisation and exercise, and also form new friendships,” said Dr. Holdstock. The walking group, which assists local women to enjoy physical activity in an environment where their children are also welcome, helps to build friendships and local networking. It’s also a great way to see and learn more about the local neighbourhood.
The walks are easy for participants of all needs and abilities with sessions running for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and are open to any interested member of the community. Anyone who would like to register for the Glenroy Pram Walkers group or receive inform
ation on any of Moreland’s walking groups, should contact Jackie Evers from Moreland Community Heath Service on 03 8319 7423 or email jackiee@mchs.org.au.
European Handball
The Australian Handball Federation would like to congratulate the members and officials of the Junior Women’s Team for their admirable participation in the XVI Junior Women’s World Championship held in FYR Macedonia 
during July and August. This was the first time Australia had participated in the championship so they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. They did not reach the level of success they set out to do but certainly earned the admiration of the handball world for the way the players did not give up fighting until the end.
To promote the sport of handball, the Handball Federation of Victoria are running a series of Come & Try days throughout August and September.
Women's Support through Tennis - Trudy Campbell Jones
For the women who think they can't possibly play tennis because "I haven't played since I was a junior"…Trudy Campbell Jones may convince you otherwise. Do you lead a busy lifestyle, wish to do something for yourself, mix with women outside of playgroups, increase your fitness level? Give tennis a go! Many clubs offer midweek tennis to women and competitions to suit all abilities.
My story, as a mid 30's first time mum suffering from PND and missing the stimulation of work, getting back into tennis was the best medicine for my self esteem and self image. Saturday tennis quickly became tennis also on Tuesdays and Thursday nights. My children are used to the tennis days as my partner who had never played, took up tennis and plays Saturdays. As "a family outside day", we are all getting some exercise and being great role models for our children.
Woodend (in the Macedon Ranges) has 5 teams of women who play tennis on Tuesdays, forming part of the Mountain District Ladies Tennis Association. The Tuesday competition throughout the Macedon Ranges, consisting of 6 sections (42 teams). Most clubs are child friendly with fenced areas and play equipment. Through successful grant applications, Woodend Tennis Club are installing portable shade canopy for the clubs players and spectators. Woodend encourages women to be involved in Tuesdays and mixed on Saturday afternoon and Thursday nights. More information can be found at www.mrta.org.au / http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mdlta or / www.woodendweb.org/woodendtennis/.
Athlete Profiles
Baseballer Samantha Hamilton - My year from hell...Amy McCann
New Zealand’s Rugby Union superstar Jonah Lomu and one of Australia’s leading 
female baseballers, Samantha Hamilton. At first, it seems a peculiar comparison, but a quick behind the scenes look reveals a depressing link in the form of a debilitating illness that crippled the pair both on and off the sporting field.
Like Lomu in 1996, in mid 2007, Samantha was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, a severe condition which damages the kidneys' filtering system causing numerous health problems. The usually active and healthy Hamilton was suddenly met with a life threatening condition, which resulted in fluid gains of up to 15 kilos in mere days, weekly trips to the hospital, multiple medications and days where she couldn't get out of bed. “It’s not that long ago that I could hardly walk,” Hamilton revealed. “Everything became a chore, not just baseball, but simple duties such as walking around the house, became painful.”
It was just another blow to the 8 time Australian representative, who already endured a list of injuries and illnesses in 2007 that many would not see in a lifetime. A training mishap in March, less than a week from the Australian Championships, landed her with a fractured cheekbone. During the championships, she awoke on the second day unable to move her left arm, which was later diagnosed as Ulna Nerve Entrapment. For the remainder of the event and months to follow, she endured searing pain and numbness in her left hand and fingers, some of which remains today. Her inability to walk properly left her unable to train on a regular basis. As a result, her baseball suffered.
“To say I was unlucky would be an understatement, simply put, I have been to hell and back, and to make things worse, at nationals this year in Wollongong, I was the worst (health-wise) that I had been all year and was certain I wouldn’t even make the (Australian) team,” Hamilton revealed. A humble statement considering she picked up two hits, including knocking in the tying and go ahead runs in the 6th inning, in the gold medal game against NSW. It is this proven ability in big games, combined with her unequalled experience which made it virtually impossible for the coaches to leave her out. Hamilton is the only female in Australia to have played in every Victorian and National team since their inceptions. Hamilton was also a member of the 2002 World Series winning Australian team. She is a multiple Victorian national champion and has received numerous world and national awards including the stolen bases award at the last world cup, a testament to her reputation as one of the game’s best base runners.
Sam admits that it may be been better if she had let her body rest but she was determined not to let the illness get the better of her. “I love the sport, and wanted the opportunity to play on the world stage so much that I knew that if I could get my health back to 100%, I could get back to 100% on the field too. I have not worked my butt off to go away for some sight seeing or shopping. I’m going away with nothing but winning Gold in mind,” she says with a wry smile. This Australian team has a great mix of youth and experience and I am certain that we can match it with the US, Japan and Canada.” Full story at http://www.baseball.com.au
Wrestler - Kyla Bremner Article: AOC website (Alice Wheeler) & Herald Sun (Amy Dale), http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun
Kyla Bremner, the Sydney doctor who often heals and hurts on the same day, will be the first female wrestler to ever represent Australia at an Olympic games! Canadian born, 31-year-old Bremner is currently Australia’s top-ranked wrestler. Bremner graduated from her medical degree at Sydney University before spending the last two years working in hospitals in rural NSW (including Dubbo and Broken Hill). 
Curiosity about the sport first began when Kyla was 17. An International Competition came to her Canadian University. She went to watch a friend compete and heard they were looking to start up a women’s team. The sport fascinated Kyla so she decided to have a go! It all progressed from there.
In a sport with little economic reward even for male competitors, Bremner constantly juggled work and wrestling in the lead up to the Olympics. Time for family and friends is scarse as both her doctor role and training for gold requires long and hard hours. “I've had to take unpaid leave to go to competitions and prepare for big matches and I also have to miss some competitions and training sessions for work. That said, without my job as a doctor I wouldn't be able to fund my wrestling activities and my colleagues have been very supportive in covering shifts,” she said.
Over the past 7 years, Bremner’s skill in freestyle wrestling has gone from strength to strength. Her hard work paid off last year when she won the Australian National Championships in the 55kg freestyle division. This win led her to compete at the 2007 Oceania Championships, at which she placed first against her New 
Zealand opponent.
When Bremner found out she was likely to be selected for Beijing, she was understandably thrilled. “I’m so excited to go to Beijing! It's such an unbelievable honour to be representing Australia and to be the first female wrestler to do so,” Bremner said. “To be the first woman to wrestle for Australia is something I’m proud of ... now I just can’t wait to get over there.”
“My goal for the Olympics is to wrestle my best, and to go for gold. “I've come to realise that you have to enter every tournament with the goal of winning, otherwise there is no point being there. “You have to do you best and aim for the best, which is to win gold. But I also want to have fun!”
Paralympian Madeleine Hogan – Javelin - Ali Campbell (Paralympic Programs Coordinator)
Madeleine Hogan is not your average 19 year old Victorian student, having already represented Victoria twice in the U19 National Championships for women’s cricket. She will travel as part of a 159 strong Australian Team and will compete in javelin, hoping to better her already impressive Australian and Oceanic Record of 30.97m. Her sights are firmly set on bringing home a medal from the upcoming Beijing Paralympic Games this September. 
Madeleine who was born without a left arm, has not let her disability stop her from becoming one of the country’s top athletes. The speed at which she has risen to become one of Australia’s top Paralympians is equally impressive as it was just over 3 years ago that when she was discovered at a Toyota Paralympic Talent search day conducted by the Australian Paralympic Committee. This progression is by no means due to chance as Madeleine has committed herself to a rigid training program throughout the lead up to the Games. Madeline is also balancing her training and competition commitments with study as she is currently enrolled in Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University.
Madeleine claims that the secret to her success is both “patience and happiness” and we have every reason to believe that she will experience the later emotion in Beijing and well into her sporting future.
Best wishes to Madeline and the other 27 Victorian female athletes representing Australia at the Beijing Paralympic Games. The Beijing Paralympic Games run from the 6th to the 17th of September and will be broadcast daily on ABC1 and ABC2 television.
Eliza Broadbent - AFL Umpiring - Kelly Ryan, Herald Sun, June 13, 2008
At 20 years of age, Eliza Broadbent is adamant females will take their place as footy field umpires. This is likely to happen in the next 5 years and Eliza is aiming to be one of the first. Eliza said umpiring was one of few ways women could be involved in the game on the ground at an elite level. In two short years, Eliza has risen from umpiring juniors to coaching Eastern Football League senior reserves and is a member of the AFL Victoria’s Female Umpiring Academy. She and two other females on an AFL fast-track program can look forward to officiating in seniors before being nominated to trial with the VFL.
AFL Victoria’s umpiring development manager Neville Nash, who set up the female umpiring academy in 2008, says women will be field umpires at the top level within a decade. They are equal to men in skill levels and brought even more to the role, Mr Nash said. "You ask girls why they want to umpire and they say it's fun, compared to boys, who say it is because they get paid. Females appear, in my opinion, to be less affected by abuse, they are calmer and they are very coachable. They listen, they want to learn...they're as good as the males.
Eliza has dreamed of being an AFL umpire since childhood and agrees it's one area of sport where men and women met on an equal playing field. “You let them know you are just part of the game and that you are there to do your best. You don't expect respect from players, you have to earn it."
Following the Herald Sun’s article, Neville Nash reported Eliza's next accomplishment when she became the first female to umpire in the E. J. Whitten Legends game at Telstra Dome in front of more than 24,000 people. She officiated with former AFL umpiring legends, Darren Goldspink, Peter Cameron, Perter Carey, John Russo and Andrew Coates. “These guys were fantastic and accepted me as one of their own” said an excited Eliza. “This was a once in a lifetime experience and hopefully will promote umpiring, especially for females to participate in this great game” she said.
Who knows, Eliza could become the first ever AFL field umpire.
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