Women Sport Australia event spotlights ‘what women want’ and recognises ‘community champions’

The 10th annual Women in Sport Brunch held at Marvel Stadium and hosted by Women Sport Australia (WSA) in partnership with Victoria University attracted over 500 people.

In a transformational year for women in sport, athletes, professionals and WSA Board Directors joined to discuss the topic ‘What Women Want’ at the stadium in Docklands.

Attendees re-lived some of the most outstanding moments of 2023, including Netball World Cup, expansion of the NRLW and AFLW, and of course, the incredible FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Outgoing President Gen Dohrmann recapped the last 12 months for WSA, highlighting the work of the 11-member volunteer board with roundtable discussions, the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards (WISPAA) and advocacy initiatives run throughout the year.

Dohrmann then had a fireside chat with incoming President Helena Dorczak and Golf Victoria Women & Girls Engagement Coordinator Brioney Wandin-Thomas about their leadership roles in sport and how being a woman has impacted their careers for good.

The 2023 panel of Camilla Brockett, Associate Director of Research and Deputy Leader of the Sport Performance and Business research program at Victoria University's Institute for Health and Sport, Suzie Betts, Chief Executive and Founder of Boob Armour, Olivia McGannon, Head of Brand Marketing at Decjuba, and Sarah Wall, Chief Executive and Founder of NetFit Netball Australia discussed the topic ‘What Women Want’ with facilitator, sports journalist and presenter, Rana Hussain.

Playing attire for women, mental health of female athletes, breast injuries in sport and a passion for wanting to empower children in sport were spoken about in front of the capacity crowd.

The event concluded with a chance to recognise some champions from the community with the Women in Sport Recognition Awards.

Champions awarded were:

• Dr Kara Dadswell, nominated by Victoria University.

• Melanie Jenkins, nominated by Gymnastics Australia and Gymnastics Victoria.

• Dani Montague, nominated by Netball Australia.

• Rebecca Lewis, nominated by Basketball Victoria.

• Fran Hurndall, nominated by Women Sport Australia.

• Cortnee Vine, nominated by A-Leagues

The event attracted the following sponsors:

• Major Sponsor: Victoria University

• Founding Partner: Gymnastics Victoria

• Event Partner: Code Sports, Kommunity TV

• Gold Partner: Netball Australia

• Silver Partners: A-Leagues, Basketball Victoria

• Bronze Partners: Vic Sport, Commonwealth Games Australia, AFL & Marvel Stadium, Carlton Football Club, Tabcorp

The entire panel discussion can be viewed here

Image. The 2023 panel of Suzie Betts, Sarah Wall, Rana Hussain, Camilla Brockett and Olivia McGannon.