Annual breakfast celebrates females in sport

A CAPACITY audience at GMHBA Stadium’s Presidents Room turned out to the third annual Female Festival of Sport Breakfast event on Friday last week.

Guests who attended last week’s AFL Barwon Female Festival of Sport Breakfast had the opportunity to hear from an array of top-tier panellists, all speaking about the roles females can play and are playing at every level of sport.

Moderated by Geelong United Basketball’s Connie Bolger, guests got to hear from Australian Paralympic gold medallist Kelly Cartwright, Queenscliff Football Netball Club president Ali Waight, surprise guest Geelong Cats AFLW player Erin Hoare, and state-level All Abilities netballer Emma Daffy.

AFL Barwon regional general manager and event guest Edward Wilson said the breakfast had been the culminating event for the festival each year since its inception in 2022.

“The breakfast accumulated in what had been a terrific week in celebrating, recognising and empowering women in sport regardless of whether they are players, umpires, coaches or volunteers.

“Everyone has a wider impact in ensuring the playing environments around the region stay welcoming for all females and the breakfast was a terrific opportunity to celebrate all that.

“Our four incredible panellists and our MC Connie Bolger were well received, and so far we have received a lot of positive feedback.”

AFL Barwon’s Female Festival of Sport remains the only event of its kind across Victoria, which Mr Wilson said added to the prestige of the festival.

Before the breakfast, each AFL Barwon club named a Female Club Champion, with awards handed out on Thursday last week.