In the same boat to break the bias

THE rowing community will mark International Women’s Day with a celebration by Lake Wendouree’s course finish line, opposite Loreto College.

From 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday, 8 March a range of guest speakers – women in sport and business – will acknowledge the IWD 2022 theme, ‘break the bias.’

With ABC’s Penny Johnston as MC, the event is being driven by Strive Sport, in partnership with the Ballarat Rowing Association, and Ballarat City and Wendouree-Ballarat rowing clubs.

Strive Sport director Jennifer Szuster said Tokyo Olympic gold medallist in the Australian women’s four Rosie Popa, long-time rower, coach and mentor Hannah Every-Hall, Female Athlete Network founder Emily Shears, and successful rower and businesswoman Sarah Chibnall will present.

“It’s important for young girls to have role models in the community that they can look up to, so that’s why we’ve got a diverse panel to share those stories,” Szuster said.

“The International Women’s Day theme, break the bias, is all about asking, how is your community helping break the bias in terms of gender diversity and inclusion?

“Rowing is gender-equal from a participation point of view, but from a coach and administrator perspective, we have some work to do to improve the roles that women play.

“The purpose of this afternoon is to help young girls be able to see that they can have a presence in the rowing community in other aspects, like coaching, and to also showcase some women that have achieved success in business.”

Video messages are expected from Olympic gold medallist Lucy Stephan – Popa’s crewmate and former Ballarat resident – and old Ballarat Clarendon Collegian Katrina Werry, who rowed in the Tokyo Olympic women’s eight.

Members of Ballarat’s school and wider rowing communities are encouraged to come along, however everyone is welcome. Visit bit.ly/3GVA15n for more information and tickets.