Leading voices join women’s sport festival

AFL Barwon will celebrate the women and girls who play, officiate, administer and spectate local sport in the region this July.

The week-long Female Festival of Sport returns next month for its fifth year, bringing the community together to share the stories of inspiring women and highlight the continued growth of female participation in sport.

This year’s marquee event, the Female Festival of Sport Breakfast, will feature AFL executive general manager of AFLW Laura Kane and former Australian Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon, now a member of Netball Victoria’s executive leadership team.

The pair will discuss their journeys in sport, the evolving landscape of women’s sport in Australia and their hopes for its future.

The festival will also include a female sport education session and a junior representative exhibition match alongside the Geelong Cougars’ home Victorian Netball League fixture.

AFL Barwon chief executive Kate Patterson said she was proud of the growth of female sport in the region and excited by the calibre of speakers secured for this year’s breakfast.

 

“Women’s sport has grown exponentially over the past decade across every metric – awareness, participation, media share and visibility,” Patterson said.

“With this event, we want to look at what’s next, how we build on that momentum, and ensure that girls and women have the same opportunities and recognition as men.

“Community sport plays a huge role in that, as it all starts at the local courts, ovals and clubs.”

The Female Festival of Sport breakfast will be held on 10 July at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

The festival runs from 6–12 July.